Jandi  +  72378 Sun, 06 Feb 05 01:41 AM Hello, teachers! When do we use 'way of -ing' or 'way to verb'? Ex; 1-1. The best way of learning about computers is working with them. 1-2. The best way to learn about computers is to work with them. 2. The best way [of traveling, to travel] is the train. 3. Waving your hand is a way [of saying, to say] goodbye. Thank you very much. Jandi Joined on Tue, Sep 7 2004 Full Member 348 Verbs

	Mister Micawber  +  72411 Sun, 06 Feb 05 06:36 AM Interesting question, Ms. Jandi. They both seem to work equally well in conveying the same message in your examples. I would suggest that 'way of doing', with its use of the noun, relates more to the state/condition/practice than the action ( 'to do') in my mind, and that I would tend to use 'way of doing' in more formal contexts. Another beautiful day. Did you throw any beans? Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 30,842 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Nouns

	Jandi  +  72441 Sun, 06 Feb 05 10:22 AM Throw beans? I don't know the meaning. Anyway, yes! One of our beautiful days! Enjoy the half-cloudy and darker-getting sky! Jandi

	Mister Micawber  +  72442 Sun, 06 Feb 05 10:31 AM On February 2nd, we throw beans at the devils outside in order to keep the home safe from them. I thought you might do something similar. Mister Micawber

	Jandi  +  72447 Sun, 06 Feb 05 10:45 AM It's my first time to hear that. Interesting! Is it a Japanese custom or a North American one? Yes, we have a similar one. We use salt instead, and we don't have any specific date. We do this when something bad has happened or is expected to happen. Have a nice evening. Jandi Dates

	CalifJim  +  72490 Sun, 06 Feb 05 05:05 PM Jandi, The only restriction I can think of is that we don't use "way to" when "way" is preceded by a possessive. I don't like his way [of pronouncing / *to pronounce] "nuclear". Susan's way [of preparing / *to prepare] eggplant is really novel -- and delicious! At least I can't think of a counterexample. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,465 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Possessives

	Mister Micawber  +  75268 Sun, 20 Feb 05 12:26 PM A little tardy in my response, Ms. Jandi, sorry. Bean-throwing is a Japanese tradition. To keep the devils away from our homes in America, we just keep a pistol handy. Mister Micawber