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Soprano Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

I like to be....

Hello, could you help me with this?

Someone wrote "I like to be her friend". Is it correct? I would have said: I like being her friend.

Thank you.

Soprano
  

Top answer

Soprano I would have said: I like being her friend. Me too. The other version is not at all idiomatic.

— CalifJim

  • Soprano I would have said: I like being her friend.
  • Me too.
  • The other version is not at all idiomatic.
  • Being a friend is too permanent; the role of being a friend is already in effect before the statement is made.
  • The infinitive form is more idiomatic with adjectives that indicate a behavior you could exhibit on various occasions sporadically in the future.
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2 Answers
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Soprano I would have said: I like being her friend.
Me too. The other version is not at all idiomatic. Being a friend is too permanent; the role of being a friend is already in effect before the statement is made. The infinitive form is more idiomatic with adjectives that indicate a behavior you could exhibit on various occasions sporadically in the future.
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Completely understood.

I agree with you. Your explanation is clear. Thank you very much!
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