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Wowenglish Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Infinitive/gerund

I wonder if there is any difference between "1" and "2".

1. His habit is to bite his nails.

2. His habit is biting his nails.
  

Top answer

In meaning, no, but #1 is not so natural a formation. Habits are by nature ongoing, not potential, so the progressive is called for.

— Mister Micawber

  • In meaning, no, but #1 is not so natural a formation.
  • Habits are by nature ongoing, not potential, so the progressive is called for.
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5 Answers
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In meaning, no, but #1 is not so natural a formation. Habits are by nature ongoing, not potential, so the progressive is called for.
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Mister MicawberIn meaning, no, but #1 is not so natural a formation. Habits are by nature ongoing, not potential, so the progressive is called for.

Hi, Mr.M: Does the sentence "his habit is to bite his nails whenever he is nervous" sound as natural to you as it does to me?
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His habit is biting his nails.

On the other hand, one might reason thus: It is he himself who is biting his nails, not his habit!
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Hi, Mr.M: Does the sentence "his habit is to bite his nails whenever he is nervous" sound as natural to you as it does to me?
Not really; nor does the gerund. What sounds really natural is 'He bites his nails whenever he's nervous' or, second in order, 'He has a habit of biting his nails whenever he's nervous'.

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He has a habit of biting his nails when he is nervious.
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