Verbs taking gerund or infinitive when both are correct

[retro]

Hello,

There are verbs, like prefer, which can take both gerund and to infinitive.

The donor prefers to remain anonymous.
The donor prefers remaining anonymous.

The player prefers to play in the difense.
The player prefers playing in the difense.

Is there a difference in the meaning?

Thanx!

[Casiopea]

With the verb prefer, the difference is meaning is minimal,

The donor prefers to remain anonymous.
=> prefers to BE or DO something <action>

The donor prefers remaining anonymous.
=> prefers something. <thing>

Here are some great resources:
http://www.edufind.com/ENGLISH/grammar/ING5.cfm
http://www.answers.com/topic/gerund

[retro]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

With the verb prefer, the difference is meaning is minimal,

The donor prefers to remain anonymous.
=> prefers to BE or DO something <action>

The donor prefers remaining anonymous.
=> prefers something. <thing>

Here are some great resources:
http://www.edufind.com/ENGLISH/grammar/ING5.cfm
http://www.answers.com/topic/gerund

Thank you for the sites! They are very useful.

I got one more question, however.

The rule says that "advise is followed by a to-infinitive when there is an object as well, but with a gerund otherwise".

Is the sentence "I'd advise buying your tickets well in advance" correct according to the said rule because here advise refers to buying and not to tickets?

[Casiopea]

Right.

gerund I'd advise buying...
infinitive I'd advise you to buy... <'you' is the object>

Note that, advise, recommend and forbid:

These are followed by a to-infinitive when there is an object as well, but with a gerund otherwise.

EX: The police advised us not to enter the building, for a murder had occurred.

'us' is the object.

[retro]

Thank you Casiopea!