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Sleepless Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Use of infinitive

Hello,

Is it grammatically correct to say:

"To study contentious decisions cannot reveal whether or not they have been ‘successful’"

or should it be

"Studying contentious decisions cannot reveal whether or not they have been ‘successful’ "

or is neither good English?

I really appreciate your advice.
  

Top answer

sleepless Is it grammatically correct Yes. Both are correct. The second one (with the -ing form) is more commonly used in subject position, which is where you have it.

— CalifJim

  • sleepless Is it grammatically correct Yes.
  • Both are correct.
  • The second one (with the -ing form) is more commonly used in subject position, which is where you have it.
  • CJ
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3 Answers
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sleeplessIs it grammatically correct
Yes. Both are correct. The second one (with the -ing form) is more commonly used in subject position, which is where you have it.

CJ
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A follow-up question: is there any preference on which should be used in very formal (academic) text?
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In both formal and informal contexts, -ing forms usually occur before the verb (gerunds as subjects) and infinitives tend to occur later in sentences.

Doing the weekly grocery shopping is such a chore.

It's such a chore to do the weekly grocery shopping.

That said, there may be cases where an infinitive subject is stylistically better. An infinitive
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