Weird sentence

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Howdy,Have a look at this sentence:I like going on bike trips to the mountainsDunno why but it sounds really awkward. Is it correct? If not, how else can we say the same thing? And would there be a difference if one said instead:I like to go on bike tripsThanks, cheers

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Have a look at this sentence:

I like going on bike trips to the mountains

Dunno why but it sounds really awkward. Is it correct? Yes, it's fine If not, how else can we say the same thing? And would there be a difference if one said instead:

I like to go on bike trips There's no real difference, ( except here you didn't say 'to the mountains').

Anglista2008 · Answer

Hmm... I've heared that there's a difference in meaning in British English... Someone's told me or I've read it somewhere that when I say

I like to go to the dentist every once in a while

then I don't mean that I enjoy going to the dentist but it's more like a habit... But what about these ones?

I like relaxing when I have some free time (sounds really weird to me...)
I like to relax when I have some free time
I like riding a bike from time to time
I like to ride a bike from time to time (dunno why but this one sounds better to me)

Clive · Answer

Hi again,
I've heared that there's a difference in meaning in British English... Someone's told me or I've read it somewhere that when I say

I like to go to the dentist every once in a while

then I don't mean that I enjoy going to the dentist but it's more like a habit...

If I just wanted to describe a habit, I'd simply say

I go to the dentist every once in a while.

It's true that 'I like to' can be used to mean 'I prefer to'. But it tends to sound a bit odd when you are speaking of the less negative of various alternatives, ie when you are speaking of something that you really don't enjoy.

But what about these ones?

These all sound OK to me.

I like relaxing when I have some free time (sounds really weird to me...)
I like to relax when I have some free time
I like riding a bike from time to time
I like to ride a bike from time to time (dunno why but this one sounds better to me)

Clive

LouiseT · Answer

Hello

anglista2008I've heared that there's a difference in meaning in British English

I agree with Clive and I am from the UK.

Anglista2008 · Answer

Hmm... This is what I've just found.

"Firstly both like + infinitive (like to get) and like + -ing (like getting) are possible. In most cases there is no significant difference in meaning.

In British English, there is sometimes a difference between "I like doing" and "I like to do" :

I like doing something means that generally I enjoy it.

I like to do something can mean it is a regular habit or I think it is good or right to do it.

I like living here (I enjoy living here generally)
Mary likes peoples to be on time (she thinks it is a good idea for them to be on time).

I like swimming. (In general)
I like to swim in the mornings (regular).

Note: The difference between the two are very slight. As a non-native speaker I would not worry too much about the difference. Just learn that both are possible."

My second question concerns "have" in my sentences. Would you say:

I relax when I have some free time.
I relax when I'm having some free time.

CalifJim · Answer

anglista2008 * Would you say:

1. I relax when I have some free time.
2. I relax ~~when I'm having some free time~~.

No -ing forms for stative (non-activity) have. Having free time is not considered an activity; it's a state.

Paul has a headache. (state, not activity)

Paul is having a fit of coughing. (activity, not state)

The idea of an 'activity' has to be taken a little loosely. In the case of a coughing fit (above) it is an involuntary activity that the subject undergoes.

CJ

Anglista2008 · Answer

Thanks a lot.

Can you guys comment on what I've copied and pasted from the I-net?

Anglista2008 · Answer

Hmm... then why do we say:

I'm having a great time instead of I have a great time

CalifJim · Answer

anglista2008Hmm... then why do we say:I'm having a great time instead of I have a great time

That's my point exactly!

You are participating in activities which you find pleasurable, so you are having a great time. It's all unfolding in time as the "activity" of having a great time, the "activity" of doing pleasurable things. Here I am, right in the middle of the party at Ken's, and I say,

I'm having a great time.

When you say have instead of having, you're marking it as habitual, and it wouldn't hurt to add more to the sentence to confirm that, thus:

I always have a great time at Ken's parties.

When you look back at all the parties you've been to at Ken's, you see a pattern. You had a great time; you had a great time; you had a great time; .... (These are viewed as a series events, a series of instances of having a great time.) So you conclude that you always have a great time at Ken's parties.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

"I'm having a great time (right now) at this party."

"I have a great time (in general) at parties."

The meanings are different.

PS I'm glad I didn't have to have a membership to post this, or else I wouldn't have taken time.

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