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Eagertolearn Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

-ing clauses functioning as subject

Going to the cinema is funny.
To go to the cinema is funny.

i know the first sentence is correct but is the second one correct too? -ing clauses can function
as subject, but can to infinitive clauses do the same?
  

Top answer

Infinitives enjoy less popularity as subjects than do gerunds, because the gerund (like its '-ing' congeners) emphasizes the process, where the infinitive only suggest the potentiality. As a result, the infinitive as noun often sounds awkward, as here. )

— Mister Micawber

  • Infinitives enjoy less popularity as subjects than do gerunds, because the gerund (like its '-ing' congeners) emphasizes the process, where the infinitive only suggest the potentiality.
  • As a result, the infinitive as noun often sounds awkward, as here.
  • )
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4 Answers
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Infinitives enjoy less popularity as subjects than do gerunds, because the gerund (like its '-ing' congeners) emphasizes the process, where the infinitive only suggest the potentiality.

As a result, the infinitive as noun often sounds awkward, as here. (Of course, some of it may have to do with word choice; a more expected casting would be:

'Going to the cinema is fun'
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Thanks Mister Micawber! Could you tell me why you changed funny for fun? Isn't funny an adjective we can use with the verb to be? Thanks!
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Yes, but it is not the adjective of 'fun', which is also 'fun' (adj). 'Funny' means either humorous or strange.
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JUST FOR FUN

to have fun = to amuse oneself

(Note the "ing" words.)

I have fun watching sports on TV.
You can have fun playing chess.
Yesterday we had fun shopping for Christmas gifts.

to be fun = to be an amusing activity = to be an activity that makes on
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