To like and complex object
Hello!
I wonder if there is any difference between next two sentences:
1) I like him doing this.
2) I like him to do this.
Maybe I'm wrong but it seems to me that the first one is similar to I like it WHEN he does it.
The second is more like I want/would like him to do this.
Am I at least close? 
Top answer
[1] I like him doing this. [2] I like him to do this . [3] I'd like him to do this .
- [1] I like him doing this.
- [2] I like him to do this .
- [3] I'd like him to do this .
- [1] means "I like/enjoy it when he does this".
- But [2] is wrong, or at least not natural.
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[1] I like him doing this.
[2] I like him to do this.
[3] I'd like him to do this.
[1] means "I like/enjoy it when he does this". But [2] is wrong, or at least not natural. Instead we say [3] where the meaning is one of expectation or desire, or possibly a polite request or part of a conditional construction.
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