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Rajivme Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Sentence Correction

what is the difference between - I started to run , and , I started running - Which is apt when refering to something happend in the past
  

Top answer

Both the infintitive to run and the gerund running are correct after some verbs such as start, begin, hate etc. Some grammarians argue that the infinitive is better or should be used to refer to a single case of something happening and the gerund is to be preferred in other cases. Actual usage does not support this view even though it is true that one or the other of the alternatives may sound better or be more common in some cases.

— Cool Breeze

  • Both the infintitive to run and the gerund running are correct after some verbs such as start, begin, hate etc.
  • Some grammarians argue that the infinitive is better or should be used to refer to a single case of something happening and the gerund is to be preferred in other cases.
  • Actual usage does not support this view even though it is true that one or the other of the alternatives may sound better or be more common in some cases.
  • The tense od the verb, in your example started , has nothing to do with the choice.
  • Examples: He starts to read the newspaper at 7 o'clock.
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2 Answers
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Both the infintitive to run and the gerund running are correct after some verbs such as start, begin, hate etc. Some grammarians argue that the infinitive is better or should be used to refer to a single case of something happening and the gerund is to be preferred in other cases. Actual usage does not support this view even though it is true that one or the other of the alte
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rajivmeI started to run ... I started running
They have the same meaning. Both express something that happened in the past.

CJ
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