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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

The difference between to + Verb and Verb+ing

Hey guys,

I have been dealing and trying to come to a conclusion about this to + Verb and V+ing issue.

I can understand the difference most of the time but sometimes I get confused.

For instance, in the example of "I went to Spanish to improve my Spanish language skills such as writing and listening. " I can fully understand TO IMPROVE STRUCTURE. It is similar to "in order to".

However, as I mentioned before, in some examples I get stuck. Check that sentence out . " Social isolation is known to affect our physical and mental health. " It says TO AFFECT. Why does not it say that social isolation is known AFFECTING or FOR AFFECTING our physical and mental health.?

Another example can be like " If you are having trouble VIEWING this email ... " . Again, why does not it say that if you are having trouble to view this email... or

I hope I have been able to pinpoint the point where I get stuck and looking forward someone to give me a hand.

Many thanks in advance.

Yours sincerely,

Sercan
  

Top answer

Hi Sercan; Why don't you register here and get an account? We can serve you better if you have an account. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to understanding the differences in using the present participle and to-infinitive.

  • Hi Sercan; Why don't you register here and get an account?
  • We can serve you better if you have an account.
  • Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to understanding the differences in using the present participle and to-infinitive.
  • org/en/english-grammar/verbs/ing-forms
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1 Answers
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Hi Sercan;

Why don't you register here and get an account? We can serve you better if you have an account.

Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to understanding the differences in using the present participle and to-infinitive.

Here is a great page on the to-infinitive:

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