Hello! This is Malia from the SALC. Last week, we learned the difference between ‘how’ and ‘what’ in English. Today, let’s check the fifth and final grammar point in our list: ‘to do’ vs. ‘doing’.
--- 5. To do vs. Doing
To-infinitives (to不定詞) and gerunds (動名詞) are frequently mixed up by non-native speakers of English. Often, you can use either a gerund or infinitive. But sometimes, only one is correct. Luckily, this is the same for two Japanese grammar points: ～すること and ~するの(が).
To-infinitives are closest to the grammar rules of ~するの(が).
Gerunds are closest to the grammar rules of ～すること.
Let’s look at five general rules for using them in English:
1. Gerunds can be the subject of a sentence. Infinitives can too, but it sounds old-fashioned. Walking is good for your health. 〇
To walk is good for your health. △（古臭い）
2. Both can be the object of a sentence, but sometimes, only one is correct depending on the
verb.
I like drawing. 〇｜I like to draw. 〇
I enjoy drawing. 〇｜I enjoy to draw. ✕
Yesterday, I decided drawing. ✕｜Yesterday, I decided to draw. 〇
Common verbs with to不定詞:
agree, decide, deserve, expect, hope, learn, need, offer, plan, promise, seem, wait,
want
Common verbs with 動名詞:
admit, advise, avoid, consider, deny, involve, mention, recommend, risk, suggest
Can’t remember this list? Check how the verbs feel.
To不定詞 verbs feel closest to verbs used with ～に： agree, decide, deserve… ＝ ～に同意する、～に決める、～に値する…
Gerund verbs feel closest to verbs used with ～を： admit, advise, avoid… ＝ ～を認める、～を勧める、～を避ける…
Not every verb matches perfectly to the Japanese particle (e.g., expect＝～を期待する).
But if you think about the verbs in this way, it will help you get the feeling of native English speakers when they use them (e.g., expect＝～に期待がおよぶ).
3. Infinitives should be used after most adjectives. Gerunds after adjectives are usually
incorrect—sometimes it’s possible, but the nuance of the sentence will change.
It is necessary to speak English to work in a hotel. 〇
It is necessary speaking English to work in a hotel. ✕
It is wonderful to be free. = 自由に生きることは素晴らしい。〇
It is wonderful being free. ＝ 自由に生きて素晴らしい。△（自由に生きる行為自体が素晴
らしいのではなく、自由でいると人生が素晴らしいというニュアンス）
4. Only infinitives are used after the object of a verb. In Japanese, this translates as ‘～を○○
するように’ or ‘～を○○するために’
Please remind me to wash the dishes.（私に皿を洗うように思い出させてください。） I will teach math to make more money.（私はお金をもっと稼ぐために数学を教える。）
5. Only gerunds are used after prepositions, with one exception: ‘but’ used with the meaning ‘except’ (～を除いて). This includes when an adjective and preposition can be used together.
I have an interest in becoming a painter. 例外：I had no choice but to follow her.
Gerunds after adjectives + prepositions:
I am bored of doing the same thing every day.（be bored/tired/sick of＝～に飽きる）
She is proud of having worked hard.（be proud of＝～を誇る）
He is famous for playing soccer.（be famous for＝～で有名である）
Let’s review:
動名詞は主語として使える（to不定詞は古臭い）
どれを使うかは動詞による（to不定詞＝～に、動名詞＝～を）
形容詞の後にto不定詞がくる（動名詞が可能の場合もあるが、ニュアンスが変わる）
動詞の目的語＝to不定詞のみ（～を○○するように、～を○○するために）
前置詞の後＝動名詞のみ（‘but’は例外）
Thanks to rule 5, you can use a short-cut to test if you must use a gerund:
1. Say the sentence in Japanese using ‘するの’.
本を読むことが好き → 本を読むのが好き
本を読むことに興味がある → 本を読むのに興味がある
2. Check if there is ‘が’ after ‘するの’: するのが. If not, add it.
本を読むのが好き
本を読むのに興味がある → 本を読むのがに興味がある
3. If it sounds OK in Japanese, you can probably use an infinitive in English.
本を読むのが好き = I like to read 〇
If it sounds wrong, don’t use an infinitive in English.
本を読むのがに興味がある = I am interested in to read ✕
Let’s check different variations of similar sentences:
I like to read. → 本を読むのが好きです。 〇
I like reading. → 本を読むことが好きです。 〇
To read is fun. → 楽しいです、本を読むのが。 △（古臭い）
Reading is fun. → 本を読むことが楽しいです。 〇
It is fun to read. → 本を読むのが楽しいです。 〇
It is fun reading. → 本を読んで楽しいです。 △（本を読む行為自体が楽しいのではなく、本を読むと雰囲気が楽しいというニュアンス）
I am interested in to read. → 読むの(が)に興味があります。 ✕
I like reading. → 本を読むことに興味があります。 〇
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Have you made this common mistake in your everyday English? The next time you use the grammar point above or from the previous blog posts, remember what you learned or share your knowledge with your friends. For more support with your English language studies, visit a PA or LA in the SALC next semester!
SALC LA
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