Differences between 'like to + (verb)' and 'like + (v-ing)'

Question

Dear AllI like to swim./I like swimming.I love to shop./I love shopping.Are there any differences in meaning?Thanks a lot!

Yankee · Accepted Answer

chenyinchengI like to swim./I like swimming.

These two sentences mean the same thing.

chenyinchengI love to shop./I love shopping.

These two sentences mean the same thing.

After some verbs, the use of the -ing form or the infinitive does result in different meanings, however there is no difference in your particular sentences.

Chenyincheng · Answer

Can you give my some examples where the use of the -ing form or the infinitive may result in differences in meanings?

Thanks a lot

Yankee · Answer

Hi Chenyincheng

One example is the verb "stop":

- I stopped eating. = I was in the process of eating, but I am not doing that now. I ended that activity.

- I stopped to eat. = I was in the process of doing something, but I took a break so that I could eat.

Another example is the verb "remember":

- I remember locking the door. = I can see a picture of myself in my mind at a specific time when I locked the door. (I am thinking now about one past activity.)

- I remember to lock the door. = I always lock the door. I never forget to do that.

Tanit · Answer

Hi,

chenyinchengCan you give my some examples where the use of the -ing form or the infinitive may result in differences in meanings?

I'll try and post some examples. Somebody will jump in if something is not OK, I hope.

I stopped to talk to him. (I was doing something, but I quit what I was doing because I wanted to talk to him)
I stopped talking to him. (I don't speak to him any longer)

- I tried to open that big box. (I made an effort to open the box)
- I tried opening the big box first. (sounds more like an experiment)

- I remember buying some bread. (I bought some bread in the past, and I remember this)
- Remember to buy some bread. (the bread hasn't been bought yet)

- I forgot opening the window. (I opened it, but now I can't remember)
- I forgot to open the window. (I didn't open it)

- I didn't mean to tell him what happened. (mean = intend)
- My new job meant leaving my hometown. (mean = cause)

- She went on to explain the poem. (go on = finish doing something and begin doing something else)
- She went on explaining the poem. (go on = continue)

- I regret to inform you that your application was rejected. (regret = am sorry because I am about to do something)
- I regret spending so much time in the pub. (regret =am sorry for something I did in the past)

(There are probably more. Please take all these examples with a pinch of salt

).

EDIT: Amy was much faster!!!

CalifJim · Answer

Tanit- I forgot opening the window. (I opened it, but now I can't remember)

While this pattern is frequently quoted in grammar books, I am barely familiar with it myself. I don't use it, and I don't think I've heard any of my friends use it either. I would say,

I forgot that I had opened the window.

Any other native speakers out there with the same impression of this use of forget?

This one (below) seems familiar, however, as a negative command (Don't bother to):

(You can) Forget opening the window; we've got more important things to think about just now.

Or as a denial of privileges or favors:

(You can) Forget going to the movies; after what you've done, you're grounded for a week.

CJ

Tanit · Answer

CalifJimWhile this pattern is frequently quoted in grammar books, I am barely familiar with it myself. I don't use it, and I don't think I've heard any of my friends use it either

Really?

I blame my former teachers more than my grammar books for this!
(unless it's a regional usage ... in case, I'll forgive them ...

)

Thanks, Jim.

Anonymous · Answer

please answer my question now ..
whts the DIFFERENCE of " i like to swim and i like swimming " ???

i want the difference not the same .. !!!!

Clive · Answer

Hi,

whts the DIFFERENCE of " i like to swim and i like swimming " ???

i want the difference not the same ..

i like to swim I like to do it.

i like swimming Maybe I like to do it. Maybe I like to watch it on TV.

Clive

Cat class 741 · Answer

I think both are natural and sensible.

Differences between 'like to + (verb)' and 'like + (v-ing)'

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