Questions tagged [infinitive-vs-gerund]
For questions about the difference in meaning or grammaticality between using a gerund or an infinitive in a particular context.
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2answers
26 views
cleaning vs to be cleaned
Look at this example below
The carpet needs___________ before we use it.
a) cleaning b) to be cleaned
Which one would be more appropriate in the given context and why?
My thought process ...
0
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2answers
24 views
“don't forget {sending/to send}” and “presents {hanging/to hang} on my tree”
This is a question from my exam please help me. Why and which one is correct?
Please do not forget ... me some pretty presents ... on my tree.
1) sending - hanging
2) to send - hanging
3) ...
0
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0answers
23 views
what used after ''had great motivation''?
She had great motivation ... the exam.
a)in passing
b)passing
c)to pass
which answer is true? and why?
1
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1answer
25 views
When are “to + verb” and “verb+ing” not interchangeable?
Like in the following example:
I would really appreciate having some feedback on this topic.
Why can’t I just write “to have” instead of “having”?
In this case, they are not supposed to be ...
2
votes
2answers
72 views
Strange usage of the 'ing' with the want verb
I started reading Harry Potter and there is a sentence They didn't want Dudley mixing with a child like that.
I understand the meaning of the sentence, but could someone explain why mixing is used, ...
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3answers
48 views
Can we use “to be stripped” instead of “being stripped” in this sentence?
The warning from the European commission could lead to that country being stripped of its European rights.
(As far as l know we must use infinitive after nouns )
0
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1answer
22 views
To get vs in getting
Which one is correct-
He did not succeed to get the job though he tried his level best.
He did not succeed in getting the job though he tried his level best.
Book says second one is correct.
0
votes
1answer
11 views
Personal pronoun with a gerund or infinitive?
My father never approved _____ a foreigner.
a. her to marry
b. her marrying
c. she marrying
d. she not marry
Please answer the question with an explanation.
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2answers
28 views
“investigate” or “investigating”
"This research was devoted to investigating the performance"
I always use Investigate after "to" as a infinitive, however I have seen some text that used "investigating" instead of "investigate", ...
1
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2answers
22 views
The main contribution is (proposing / to propose) a new method
The main contribution of this paper is (proposing/to propose) a new method.
I'm confused about using gerund or infinitive in this sentence.
I searched for this sentence on the internet, but I didn't ...
0
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0answers
26 views
What is the best choice for ing , to infinitive or ing
the justification given for explaining his action is unbelievable!
the justification given to explain his action is unbelievable!
the justification given, explaining his action is unbelievable!
...
2
votes
2answers
305 views
“consumers choosing to rely” vs. “consumers to choose to rely”
Signals that are related imperfectly to actual quality will mislead those consumers choosing/to choose to rely upon these inaccurate signals.
In the provided context, is choosing and to choose ...
2
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1answer
33 views
This period saw them ACCEPT expensive projects and SIGN an agreement
This authoritarian period saw the Maldives accept highly expensive infrastructure projects as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and even sign a free trade agreement with Beijing.
Is the above ...
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0answers
28 views
commitment to “-ing” vs “infinitive”
Commitment is followed by to infinitive according to cambridge dictionary.
commitment in cambridge dic
Players must make a commitment to play for a full season.
It is also followed by to -ing in ...
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2answers
25 views
the only thing he does is
Which of these sentences is correct?
the only thing he does is translate a book
the only thing he does is translating a book
1
vote
1answer
51 views
the superlatives/first/second/last/only + noun + to infinitive/V-ing
'Practical English Usage' by Swan says:
Superlatives can be followed by an infinitive structure. The meaning is similar
to an identifying relative clause (see 495).
He's the oldest athlete ...
1
vote
1answer
28 views
What does it mean + to-infinitive / gerund
I always come across with this form "What does it mean+ to-infinitive" . But I don't understand why we use to-infinitive instead of gerund after mean. As far as I know, mean + to-infinitive means "...
1
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1answer
23 views
How about using gerund when saying the first-?
In 1993, she became the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel prize in literature.
If recieving is used instead of to receive, how does it sound?
1
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1answer
25 views
'Gaining' instead of 'gain' in “while gain nothing for themselves at all”
Individuals sacrifice their own benefits for others while gain nothing for themselves at all.
In this sentence which I composed myself, I feel gain should be changed to gaining, but I cannot explain ...
1
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1answer
61 views
Is this grammatically correct - “I miss to swim”
I read this article and here it is mentioned that "I miss to swim" is grammatically incorrect. However, I do not see any issue with it.
Could some language expert please clarify.
5
votes
1answer
35 views
Can I replace “to fish” with “fishing” in the sentence “Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”?
Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to
fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.
Would you tell me whether I can replace "to fish" with "fishing"?
Give a man a fish, and you ...
2
votes
2answers
27 views
Prefer to vs prefer than
Which one is correct, explain with reasons. 'He prefers to watch hollywood movies because they have good stories' or 'He prefers watching Hollywood movies because they have good stories'.
Please also ...
1
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1answer
66 views
To + ing question
I've been having a hard time trying to understand this specific grammar point: the "to + ing" structure. So my question is:
Which sentence is correct?
Work hard to stand out from the crowd.
Or
Work ...
0
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2answers
927 views
Gerund or infinitive? “Thank you for letting me know” or “Thank you to let me know”
I'm finishing a letter to a friend by asking the tracking number of a parcel he sent to me. Can I finish my letter with
Thank you for letting me know the tracking number
OR
Thank you to let me ...
0
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1answer
54 views
What is the correct conjugation of the verb fill in this sentence? Could you please explain grammar in this sentence?
A) Inflation is once again a major concern, violent crimes is on the rise, cases of corruption filling the press, healthcare in precarious state, insfrastructure projet not materialized and street ...
0
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1answer
21 views
Which is the correct form and under what topic does this fall? [closed]
1) I stand before the court requesting that ...
2) I stand before the court to request that ...
Is only #2 correct? Are both correct? And why?
1
vote
1answer
37 views
Complements: -ing form or infinitives
Not sure if this was already discussed, but I am confused about the use of -ing form/infinitives as complements. I've found in several threads in Stack Exchange that the verb "to be" has to be ...
1
vote
1answer
360 views
prefer doing vs prefer to do
Just saw this: "prefer ~ing" / "prefer to infinitive"
and I am wondering if there are any differences between "prefer doing" and "prefer to do".
I have read a book about grammar ...
0
votes
1answer
99 views
“Boring”: gerund or to-infinitive?
I came across this the other day, but found this strange:
It is never boring going into space. You get to experience...
Should it be:
It is never boring to go into space? You get to experience.....
1
vote
1answer
64 views
What's the difference in meaning between “talking about this” vs. “to talk about this”?
I think
It makes me feel nervous talking about this.
means talking about that topic is making the speaker feel nervous while
It makes me feel nervous to talk about this.
means if they ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Why in some situations comes ing?
In the following sentence:
The governor's assistant claimed to have unique psychic abilities
enabling him to read people's minds.
How can we know to use a verb with ing form? Like "enabling" in ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
The infinitive and the gerund in the sentence “He didn't hear me say/ing that.” [duplicate]
Someone who are not a native English speaker wrote me about someone
"He didn't hear me say that."
My question is if it is a mistake, because I am a not native English speaker too, but I would say ...
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vote
2answers
2k views
The difference between “go to shop” and “ go shopping”
I've been stuck thinking this for a while. Would anyone explain me the difference between "go to shop" and "go shopping".
0
votes
2answers
105 views
Suggest + gerund or not that is the question
As I understand the B1/B2 grammar book by Raymond Murphy, the 19 verbs (I know this list by heart now)
enjoy, mind, suggest, stop, postpone, admit, avoid, deny, fancy, risk, imagine, consider, ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Is there a difference in meaning between I like to + verb + something and I like verb + ing + something? [duplicate]
Ok, I never thought about this before, I always thought it was the same. I got the idea from the japanese SE that translating something as I like to + verb + something is different thant I like verb +...
2
votes
1answer
121 views
Is the sentence 'What I need is to do/doing the things I like.' grammatically correct?
There is a task in Oxford English Grammar (Basic) by Michael Swan and Catherine Walter that goes as follows: Write a sentence beginning 'What I need is...' Which made me think of which is more ...
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1answer
76 views
Which one to use in an enumeration, to-infinitives, bare infinitives, or gerunds?
I am writing a summary paper about a report I read with this sentence in it:
This report follows two steps: determine the population density increase and analyze the productivity growth influenced ...
0
votes
3answers
111 views
'Tempted to do' or 'tempted of doing'
I know that following expression is valid:
I was tempted to do it.
For the context purpose, is the expression below valid as well?
I was tempted of doing it.
1
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1answer
48 views
Is the gerund being used in a proper way: “His job is driving a cab.”
I am not sure if the following sentence is grammatically correct.
His job is driving a cab.
I believe the gerund cannot be used in this way. Am I right?
Would it mean the same to say? His job is ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
It is + adjective + doing
It is no use crying.
It is expensive running this car.
It is a waste of time doing this.
Why we have this pattern of sentence construction? I more often meet with some sentences have ...
2
votes
2answers
279 views
Why is it v-ing after looking forward to?
I took an English grammar test and one question was:
Chen's looking forward ... his new job next week.
There were four choices: to starting / to start / starting / in starting.
My answer was "to ...
0
votes
2answers
678 views
See him leave/leaving
I have a question about the difference between the following two sentences:
He might be punished if he is seen leaving the campus.
He might be punished if he is seen to leave the campus.
Do ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Your invoice has been modified [to reflect vs reflecting in] the change to this month's order. Which is correct? [duplicate]
I'm wondering how to select between "to infinitive or -ing" in sentence properly.
Your invoice has been modified [to reflect vs reflecting in] the change to this month's order
In this sentence, ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
after retired or after retiring or after retirement?
I am preparing a speech about the life after retire. But not sure which one is correct below.
After retire, I want to be a happy person.
After retirement, I want to be a happy person.
...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
it is (of) no use V-ing / to V
I was told that "it is no use" is followed by a gerund, not an infinitive in current English. What about the "it is of no use"? Does it pattern in the same way?
Consider the following:
It is no use ...
2
votes
2answers
47 views
“To book” or “to booking”?
I had a debate with my friend (English is not our mother tongue) because I found this phrase bit wierd.
We were almost close to booking tickets to London.
I thought using 'almost' and 'close' ...
3
votes
5answers
485 views
“Don't go breaking my heart” versus “Don't go break my heart”
What is the difference between:
Don't go breaking my heart
and
Don't go break my heart
I can only think "breaking" to me might be speaking to a pattern of behavior - and so the ongoing ...
0
votes
1answer
849 views
“spend money -ing” or “spend money to”
I learned that verb spend followed by time or money usually go along with -ing form (with or without preposition on or in).
However, I found a sentence in TOEFL : the university should spend money ...
1
vote
1answer
376 views
Difficult to watch vs difficult in watching
I know Argentina is a great team but I am sure even Argentina fans found it difficult to watch their defenders defend yesterday.
Vs
I know Argentina is a great team but I am sure even Argentina ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
I started to wear or I started wearing reading glasses
When someone has just asked you about your reading glass. Can you say:
I started wearing my reading glasses when I was 9.
I started to wear my reading glasses when I was 9.
You are saying ...
