Be on a diet is hard. Being on a diet is hard. I want to say that usually, for most people, doing a thing is very difficult. I want to say this is always true, a fact. Which form do I have to use, be or being? And why? Answer The gerund is fine, but … Read more
(1) They love to walk in the woods. (Angela Downing, English Grammar: A University Course) (2) They love walking in the woods. She says (1) will be interpreted as potential, while a gerund means actual or habitual. But, in fact, they seem to be very similar. How do I understand the difference in meaning? Answer … Read more
When using the noun turn, should I use the +ing form or the infinitive? Whose turn is it to do the washing up? Whose turn is it doing the washing up? Answer Turn is a little tricky. Both turn to do X and turn doing X are found, but under different circumstances. You use the … Read more
Which one of the following is correct and why? It’ll be wonderful to see you again. It’ll be wonderful seeing you again. Answer Both are correct. Either the gerund clause or the infinitive clause can act syntactically as a [NominalPhrase] in this construction. The construction it + BE + [AdjectivalPhrase] + [NominalPhrase] is a rearrangement … Read more
English isn’t my mother tongue. I’m familiar with the notions of infinitive and gerund but I sometimes just don’t know which of the two should be used in combination with which verb. Thomson and Martinet [1986] provide some verbs that may take either infinitive or gerund without changing the meaning (advise, allow, …). I am … Read more
Between these sentences, which one is correct/preferable? Answers are for answering the question, not commenting. Answers are to answer the question, not to comment it. Is “for [gerund]” acceptable in some cases, for example in set phrases? Answer They are both all right, but I would rephrase them a little to make them sound a … Read more
In Italian, when I write a sentence about an action (e.g. eating fish, playing), I would use the infinitive, such as mangiare pesce fa bene alla salute (which literally is “to eat fish is healthy”), or giocare aiuta ad imparare (which literally is “to play helps to learn”). I would use the gerund in giocando … Read more
