0
Nina_Nia Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Some grammar rules that I am dubious about

Hello,

Could you tell me if there is any difference in meaning between these sentences?

I like to read in the evening.(I have been told by my teachers that the infinitive form expresses a habitual action and using gerund in such a situation is wrong)

I like reading in the evening and I enjoy reading in the evening have the same meaning.

I started to learn French.(Infinitive and not gerund is used when an action takes place for the first time)

I started learning French.(A repeated action)

Thanks
  

Top answer

Nina_Nia I like reading in the evening and I enjoy reading in the evening have the same meaning. True, though some people would say that 'enjoy' is the stronger feeling. ________________ As for your other questions, like to V = like V-ing and start to V = start V-ing.

— CalifJim

  • Nina_Nia I like reading in the evening and I enjoy reading in the evening have the same meaning.
  • True, though some people would say that 'enjoy' is the stronger feeling.
  • ________________ As for your other questions, like to V = like V-ing and start to V = start V-ing.
  • The meanings are the same.
  • The difference is only statistical.
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.

2 Answers
0
Nina_NiaI like reading in the evening and I enjoy reading in the evening have the same meaning.
True, though some people would say that 'enjoy' is the stronger feeling.
________________

As for your other questions,
like to V = like V-ing
and
start to V = start V-ing.

The meanings are the same. The difference is only s
0
0
Of course, there are some tricky verbs where the meaning is quite different:

I forgot to lock the door.
I forgot locking the door.
0

Related Questions