ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: to infinitive or to gerund

Cool Breeze — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:42:14 GMT

Nddad

How do I tell the difference between " to infinitive and to gerund " ??

If you are asking how you can tell when to is a preposition and when it's part of an infinitive, the answer is simple. If you can put a noun or a pronoun such as it after to, to is a preposition:

I am looking forward to it.

I'll never get used to it.

I object to it.

Incorrect: I used to it. Consequently to is part of an infinitive in this sentence: I used to like her.

Re: to infinitive or to gerund

Clive — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:17:53 GMT

Hi,

From above, "to" is a preposition, not infinitive. Yes.

How do I tell the difference between " to infinitive and to gerund " ?? To answer your question directly, a gerund ends in -ing but an infinitive does not.

However, perhaps you are really asking 'How do I know when to use an infinitive and when to use a gerund?' I think a practical answer is that, as you get used to speaking a lot of English, you simply become familiar with phrases like this.

Best wishes, Clive

to infinitive or to gerund

Nddad — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:53:12 GMT

What do you say to + â¼ ing ?
be opposed to + â¼ ing
object to + â¼ ing
have an objection to + â¼ ing
contribute to + â¼ ing
turn one's attention to + â¼ ing
with a view to + â¼ ing
be equal to + â¼ ing
devote A to + â¼ ing
look forward to + â¼ ing
fall to + â¼ ing

From above, "to" is a preposition, not infinitive.

How do I tell the difference between " to infinitive and to gerund " ??

Pls let me know it.

Thanks & Regards

Terry