Is there difference between gerund and infinitive,when used for subject?

Question

I am a student studying english in Korean.

a few days ago, I've got the below question at class.

Since I was taught and saw it on dictionary. for example

"To say I am disappointed is an understatement."

so, I thought gerund and and infinitive is used for subject

and I said to the instructor they can be all used for subject.

but, he told me infinitive is rarely used for subject and It is usual to form 'it ~ that' clause.

therefore, he said "gerund is correct".

he didn't cleary explain any other information on it.

he mentioned just only 'it~that cluase'.

is there any other reason why infinitive isn't used for below question?

any answers are welcome.. thanks

<answer>

The main reason why our batteries are more popular than our competitors' is that _____ them takes less time

A.to recharge

B.recharging

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

This may answer your questions.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/infinitivephrase.htm
Infinitive phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Look at these examples:

To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap is Michelle's only goal tonight.

To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap functions as a noun because it is the subject of the sentence.

Lakesha hopes to win the approval of her mother by switching her major from fine arts to pre-med.

To win the approval of her mother functions as a noun because it is the direct object for the verb hopes.

The best way to survive Dr. Peterson's boring history lectures is a sharp pencil to stab in your thigh if you catch yourself drifting off.

Minhhai2209 · Answer

Just to add some information. This explanation is from "Practical English Usage" (Michael Swan):

"In older English, an infinitive clause could easily be the subject of a sentence.
To practise regularly is important.
To wait for people who were late made him angry.

In modem English, this is unusual in an informal style. We more often use "it" as a preparatory subject and put the infinitive clause later (see 446).
It's important to practise regularly.
It made him angry to wait for people who were late.

We can also use an -ing structure at the beginning of a sentence as the subject instead of an infinitive clause (see 295).
Selling insurance is a pretty boring job.
(More natural than To sell insurance .. . )"

I hope someone will answer this question more clearly.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous"To say I am disappointed is an understatement."
so, I thought gerund and and infinitive is used for subject

Yes. Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as subjects of sentences. It seems to me that the difference is one of register. The infinitive is used much less than the gerund as subject, probably because the infinitive is the higher register usage. There is something more poetic or dramatic about the infinitive. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

The gerund is much more often used as a subject, especially in ordinary situations. Recharging batteries is a very ordinary and prosaic topic. There is no need to use the more poetic infinitive in your example sentence.

CJ

Is there difference between gerund and infinitive,when used for subject?

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