Some verbs require both infinitive and gerund and the meaning is often almost the same like:
- The boys started to throw stones at the thief.
- The boys started throwing stones at the thief.
- They began to shout after him.
- They began shouting after him.
- They continued to swear.
- They continued swearing.
But be careful, it is not always like this. Sometimes they have different meanings. Once again,
“It all depends...”
So let me show you an amazing little thing about the use of infinitive and gerund after some verbs:
Now can you tell me the difference - if there's any – between?
- Leila likes to eat couscous.
- Leila likes eating couscous.
Depending on intention, we can infer that
- Leila likes to eat couscous (now).
- Leila likes eating couscous. (habit)
The action with the GERUND form is mostly a long lasting one.
Now see if you can decipher the meaning from these two statements:
1. The man stopped smoking.
2. The man stopped to smoke.
1 --> The first one says that the man quitted or gave up smoking. He used to smoke, but now he
no longer does.
2 --> The second sentence however says the ma was walking when he stopped to light a cigarette.
Now if you did it right, try to explain these two other sentences:
1. I forgot to send them a letter of invitation.
2. I forgot sending them a letter of invitation.
Which sentence says that I have already sent the letter?
Obviously it’s number 2 because it says that I had sent them the letter of invitation but I only forgot doing so.
The first says that I still don’t send them the Invitation because I forgot to do.
It is the same for:
1. I remembered to give him the money I owed him.
2. I remembered giving him the money I owed him.
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Examples
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