0
Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Mean

Are these below all grammatically fine? If they are all fine, do they mean the same?

To do this well means spending time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you.

Doing this well means spending time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you.
  

Top answer

Yes and yes, but I think the 2nd wins on the basis of parallel structure.

— Mister Micawber

  • Yes and yes, but I think the 2nd wins on the basis of parallel structure.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

14 Answers
0
Yes and yes, but I think the 2nd wins on the basis of parallel structure.
0
0
Yes, I was thinking about the parallel structure.

So the parallel isn't a must here, right, MM?
0
0
Seldom a must; frequently good style.
0
0
Good.

But this one wouldn't work, would it?

To do this well is spending time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you.
0
0
Good.

And finally, what about these?

To do this well means to spend time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you.

Doing this well means to spend time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you.
0
0
Oh, maybe the 2nd is odd.
0
0
Mister MicawberThose sound OK to me.
You mean this means the same as 'Doing this well means spending time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you'?

To do this well means to spend time with individual children so that they can develop a special relationship with you.
0
0
Oh, they all mean the same, all 4 (?) of your permutations. I thought we were talking about which ones would pass an editor's examination.
0

Related Questions