started raining / started to rain. / bother to answer / bother answering.

I don't see much difference between these.

To my ear there is only the very slightest difference -- certainly nothing worth agonizing over.
The infinitive gives me the impression of something crisp and clear-cut; the gerund impresses me as smeared or fuzzy. It's as if starting to do something happens at a precise point in time and starting doing it happens at some imprecise or indefinite time, or that the precise time ju

Hello.

I have read in the "Collins Cobuild Student's Grammar" that "start" and "bother" can be followed by a "to-" infinitive clause or an "-ing" clause, with little difference in meaning.

I would be grateful if anyone could give me more help about this question.

Thanks.

Jesusenglandwith little difference in meaning

Which part of "with little difference in meaning" do you not understand?
CJ