Gerund and Infinitive – no difference in meaning
Gerund and the Infinitive after the verb – no difference in meaning
These verbs can be followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive without changing their meaning:
Verb | Examples |
---|---|
begin | He began working. |
He began to work. | |
can’t stand | She can’t stand being alone. |
He can’t stand to be alone. | |
continue | They continued talking. |
They continued to talk. | |
hate | She hates washing up. |
She hates to wash up. | |
like | I like speaking Spanish. |
I like to speak Spanish. | |
love | She loves driving her car. |
She loves to drive her car. | |
prefer | Mike prefers eating at home. |
Mike prefers to eat at home. | |
start | They started fighting. |
They started to fight. |
These verbs can also be followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive without changing their meaning. Mind the structure with the infinitive:
- Gerund: Verb + –ing
- Infinitive: Verb + Person (as object) + infinitive with to
Verb | Examples |
---|---|
advise | They advised driving it was a long way to town. |
They advise us to drive it was a long way to town. | |
allow | They allow smoking here. |
They allow us to smoke here. | |
encourage | They encourage doing your best. |
They encourage you to do your best. | |
forbid | They have forbidden playing here. |
They have forbidden children to play here. | |
permit | They do not permit smoking here. |
They do not permit us to smoke here. |
When recommend is followed by an infinitive, put that after recommend, then the object and then the infinitive without to.
Verb | Examples |
---|---|
recommend | They recommend walking. |
They recommend that we walk. |
Although gerunds and infinitives can often be used interchangeably there may still be a small difference in meaning. Using a gerund suggests that you are referring to real activities or experiences. Using an infinitive suggests that you are talking about potential or possible activities or experiences. Consider:
- I like speaking Spanish because it’s a lovely language. I like the experience of speaking Spanish, and the way it makes me feel when I speak the language.
- I like to speak Spanish when I’m in Spain. I prefer the option of speaking Spanish when I am in Spain.