Questions tagged [gerund-vs-infinitive]
Questions about the differences between "gerunds", formed with *-ing*, and infinitives, formed with *to*.
189
questions
2
votes
3
answers
174
views
Gerund or Infinitive after an adjective
I came across the following test exercise on Gerunds and Infinitives.
The Oscar-winning actor avoids talking to his fans and refuses to give
his autograph. <more context>. Doesn't he seem way ...
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
41
views
To help and gerund clauses
I've reached an impasse with my girlfriend (both non-native speakers) about this sentence she used:
Maybe we didn't have enough of it for it to become routine again and help measuring time
To me, ...
- 9
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
Gerund and infinitive both possible after main verb “start” but not always? [duplicate]
What is going on here?
It started to rain.
It started raining.
Both are OK to my ear when start is in the simple past. But then…
It is starting to rain. (OK)
It is starting raining (obviously wrong!)
...
- 549
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
not robust to control/controlling
I would like to say that a certain result is not robust after controlling for certain variables, like age or education.
That is, I obtained a certain result, but after I control for certain variables, ...
- 333
1
vote
2
answers
108
views
Can "the idea" ever idiomatically take an infinitive?
I just ran across this sentence in an Ars Technica article:
The idea to use a marble came from a scene in the pilot, in which Holmes uses a marble to determine a building’s floor is slanted.
And it ...
- 1,065
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
what comes after "The problem is ..."? [duplicate]
What comes after "the problem is...."? to infinitive or bare infinitive or gerund?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
58
views
"Begin" + infinitive: in the past (perhaps) there has been some activity [duplicate]
In the first meaning of begin, it is possible to use the -ing form
or the to + verb (infinitive) form after it:
She stood up and began playing or to play the trumpet.
With the -ing form we expect the ...
- 2,187
1
vote
1
answer
98
views
impersonal pronoun "it"
To exercise regularly is important.
Exercising regularly is important.
It is important to exercise regularly.
It is important exercising regularly.
Is the fourth sentence grammatically correct? Can a ...
- 51
0
votes
1
answer
47
views
Why's "subject to the vacant possession of the Premises be ready to be delivered to the Tenant" wrong?
The landlord's realtor keeps insisting that "be" is correct. She repeats she's been practicing real license for at least 20 years, and she's read thousands of these clauses. She asked if I ...
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
Correct answer for the following question? What is the reason? [duplicate]
I have come accross a multiple choice question in which I mixed up for what the answer might be. I am aware that we could use a gerund after help but not sure so much.
Here I add the picture of the ...
- 13
0
votes
0
answers
618
views
I plan to use this approach to do something or doing something
I know if we say "This is an approach to doing something" we should use "to doing" after approach.
In the case "I plan to use this approach ", should I say "to do&...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
429
views
My job is to do something or doing something? [duplicate]
My job is to teach English.
My job is teaching English.
Which one is correct and why?
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
17
views
To + infinitive vs. To + gerund [duplicate]
In one of the grammar books I study I found a following example:
In my previous job I was confined to doing only one thing.
I'd say that confined to do is the correct way to say it. I always thought ...
- 45
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
"this drug induces sleeping" or "this drug induces sleep"?
I seem to have heard both structures before, but I don’t understand which it would be.
In other languages the second verb would be in the infinitive, but I have heard things like "Josh hates ...
- 33
0
votes
1
answer
59
views
Gerund after "to". Sentence: We use music to helping us relax
I found this question in a test:
"We use music to helping us relax." Where helping was the correct answer option.
I want to know why is this form of the verb correct and not the infinitive ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
55
views
What is the right way to start a sentence: "To avoid wasting time trying to figure out" or "To avoid to waste time trying to figuring out"?
I have some problems when it comes to the usage of "to" vs "ing" to express the infinite form like in:
[1] To avoid wasting time trying to figure out ..."
[2] To avoid to ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
What difference in meaning is imparted by changing the verb form?
These are both grammatically correct:
You’ll go back to reliving your college days.
You’ll go back to relive your college days.
The former is rather like "I look forward to seeing you...", ...
- 117
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
"Not to watch" vs "Not to have watched" as subject of a sentence [duplicate]
E.g. 1 Not to watch Kobe Bryant's matches when he was alive is my biggest regret.
£.g. 2 Not to have watched Kobe Bryant's matches when he was alive is my biggest regret.
Am I right that e.g. 1 is not ...
- 31
1
vote
2
answers
72
views
Why can't to-infinitive be used as subject in "Not to learn French is my biggest regret."?
E.g. 1 "Not learning French is my biggest regret."
E.g. 2 "Not to learn French is my biggest regret."
I know that e.g. 1 is correct and e.g. 2 is wrong, but what is the grammar ...
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
89
views
Is this slogan grammatically correct in its double use of the to-infinitive?
The motto of the institution where I work is:
To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life
Is this (double use of the to-infinitive) grammatically correct? And if so, is it ...
0
votes
1
answer
556
views
Time to infinitive or time for gerund
Please consider the following constructions:
1. It's time to launch it
2. It's time for launching it
3. It's time for being taught this lesson
4. It's time to be taught this lesson
Which one(s) is/are ...
- 304
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Word form after MEAN
Help me with this question, please.
I know that if we use mean+gerund it means having a result (can be replaced with 'involve') as in Working from home means being able to keep work-life balance.
If ...
1
vote
3
answers
253
views
What is the difference between using gerunds vs. infinitives as the subject of a sentence?
For example: What is the difference in saying "To err is human" vs. "Making mistakes is an intergal part of the human condition?"
In our textbook "Speak Out C1" the author explains that it is more ...
1
vote
2
answers
235
views
‘Drive somebody to’: Why with infinitive?
We use ‘look forward to + gerund’. According to Cambridge the use of gerund is due to the fact that ‘to’ is a preposition when following ‘look forward’ (as opposed to an infinitive marker).
At the ...
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
96
views
health experts foresee/predict the novel coronavirus spreading in the U.S
One of the top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans on Tuesday that health experts foresee the novel coronavirus that has killed thousands spreading in the ...
- 1,233
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
Difference in meaning between gerund and infinitive [duplicate]
The whole class was working hard preparing for the exam.
The whole class was working hard to prepare for the exam.
What are the differences between these two sentences?
1
vote
0
answers
40
views
Gerund versus infinitive [duplicate]
I wonder if someone could offer feedback about the use and meaning difference between the use of infinitive and gerund
Being an artist is admitting you are lost and not wanting to be found.
Being an ...
0
votes
1
answer
76
views
When to use verb, base verb or gerund [closed]
Hello i have question help me please
The children were so frightened they dared not [?].
=> Moving / to move / move ?
Why is the answer "Move" without "to" ?
I have searched and found a site which ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is there a difference between "started to go" and "started going"? [duplicate]
Is there a meaning difference between started to go and started going in this example sentence?
"...", he said and started to go/going away.
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Go shopping vs for shopping [closed]
Yesterday I was teaching my student about the verb shop. I told him that we use "go" with "shop" to mean to go and buy things.
e. g.
1) You are going shopping.
2) You were going shopping.
...
- 133
0
votes
0
answers
60
views
See somebody do/doing something [duplicate]
Consider these two variations:
Every morning, tourists can see soldiers raise the national flag in the square.
Every morning, tourists can see soldiers raising the national flag in the square.
What ...
0
votes
1
answer
961
views
When the adjective 'suited' is followed by a verb, should this verb be in the infinitive or in the -ing form?
Here are some example sentences from different dictionaries.
With her qualifications and experience, she would seem to be ideally suited to/for the job. (Cambridge online dictionary)
This was a job ...
- 3,806
1
vote
0
answers
35
views
Being sensitive vs To be sensitive
Being sensitive to others when taking part in a general discussion is a useful quality to have.
vs
To be sensitive to others when taking part in a general discussion is a useful quality to have.
I ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
325
views
'To solve' versus 'To solving'
Trying to understand what seems to be a very subtle difference in written and spoken English. Recently, I've seen articles that use 'to + gerund' and 'to + infinitive' in the exact same situations, ...
- 103
0
votes
0
answers
109
views
Is this tutorial using "to [verb]-ing" the right way? When should I just use "to [verb]"? [duplicate]
That tutorial says
Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is an approach to analyzing datasets to summarize their main characteristics. It is used to understand data, get some context regarding it, ...
- 163
0
votes
2
answers
109
views
What are the correct words I have to insert here? (Verb patterns) [closed]
I have to complete this sentence with verb patterns.
I think that my answer is correct but the checker does not think the same.
Your hair needs -------------- . It looks a right mess! (CUT)
I ...
- 11
0
votes
3
answers
372
views
Allow X: What’s the difference between "for the sharing of X" and "to share X"? Do they mean the same thing?
What is the difference between these two:
Presentation events allow for the sharing of knowledge.
Presentation events allow to share knowledge.
Do they share the exact same meaning?
- 35
5
votes
2
answers
18k
views
"I like watching" vs "I like to watch" What's the difference?
Which of the two possibilities would native speakers more likely say when they watch a football (soccer or American) match from the comfort of their home?
What sport do you watch most on television?...
- 85.4k
0
votes
1
answer
21
views
"... assisting emerging countries meet their development goals..." vs "... assisting emerging countries in meeting their development goals..."
Her role included assisting emerging countries meet their development goals through active engagement with senior level representation from both the public and private sectors.
Her role included ...
- 1,148
-1
votes
1
answer
92
views
being usages dilemma
I've read in BBC that we use use "being" as a verb-ing. BBC has listed two kinds of usage; what I want to learn about here is the "preposition + verb-ing" usage. It has been said that "being + past ...
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
Which of the following sentences is correct ; basically I don't understand where to use gerund and where infinitive, and why
It is snowing; will you like to go skiing on Saturday or Sunday?
It is snowing ; will you like to go skii on Saturday or Sunday?
(plz reason the answer in simple and discernible way)
- 27
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
To smoke vs Smoking at the beginning of the sentence [duplicate]
I have been taught that we can use either of "to INF" or "Verb-ing" at the beginning of the sentence as a subject, which leads me to a point of confusion.
Here is my confusion:
A: To smoke is ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
114
views
Even though she is angry, you should try _______ (talk) to her [closed]
Even though she is angry, you should try _______ (talk) to her
In the question above I need to decide whether I should use talking, the gerund-participle, or to talk, a to-infinitive.
I’m confused ...
- 19
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
“Instead of ʏᴏᴜʀ calling” vs “Instead of ʏᴏᴜ calling” [duplicate]
Which is better:
Instead of your calling, maybe I should do it.
Instead of you calling, maybe I should do it.
I feel like the first one is the better choice here because instead of needs a gerund, ...
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
"I know him ʙᴇɪɴɢ honest" vs “I know him ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ honest”
The intended original sentence before conversion is:
I know that he is an honest man.
I want to know about these two possible reformulated versions of that sentence that replace the original’s ...
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
Use of the infinitive, always use 'to'?
Which is the correct use:
Thanks for the opportunity of being here?
or
Thanks for the opportunity to be here?
The idea was to use the verb in infinitive.
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Gerund vs infinitive: ‘suggested to me {to get/getting}’ [closed]
Can I know which one is correct. I am confused about when to use gerund/infinitive in a sentence.
My brother suggested to me to get a job in bank
My brother suggested to me getting a job in bank.
...
- 21
0
votes
2
answers
189
views
"It is" as the beginning of paragraphs
Is it encouraged or discouraged to use "IT IS" at the very beginning of a paragraph in formal writing English?. For instance:
It is often argued that study art in school should be mandatory, since ...
- 89
-1
votes
1
answer
62
views
"It is an advantage learning a foreign language". -> It is an advantage to learn...? (infinitive or -ing)
I've come across the following sentence in an article which provides businessmen with advice on how to improve their career prospects.
"It is an advantage learning a foreign language."
I think the ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
995
views
Does the verb “ban” take a gerund or infinitive as its complement? [closed]
Which one below is correct while using the verb ban?
Plastic bottle using was banned by government in the country.
Government banned to use plastic bottle in the country.
Plastic bottle was banned ...
- 109