to + V? to + V (ing)?

[dante1024]

I found a leaflet showed the following:

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to making a good meal.

why it is not:

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to make a good meal.

What is the difference?

Thank you

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by dante1024

I found a leaflet showed the following:

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to making a good meal.

why it is not:

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to make a good meal.

What is the difference?

the difference is that one is used. The other isn't used.

It is a recipe for baking a cake.
These are directions for going to Wal-Mart.
It is the secret to doing a good job.

This is an interesting subject. Let's work with this one some more.

[Snowcake]

I found a leaflet showed the following:

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to making a good meal.

In this sentence 'to' acts as a preposition.

why it is not:

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to make a good meal.

'to' is a part of an infinitive, thus, part of make=to make.
However, you should rewrite this sentence, e.g.,
The ingredients of our meals are kept secret (in order) to remain market leader.

I'm sure there are explanations which are more sufficient and accurate than mine.

So, where is David L.? That's more his expertise.


What is the difference?

Thank you

[David L.]

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to making a good meal.

You've got it, Snowcake!

The full sentence is:
Fresh tomatoes are the secret to (the) making (of a) good meal.
'to' is a preposition, taking the verbal noun 'making'

the fresh tomatoes are our secret to make a good meal.

The full sentence might be:
Fresh tomatoes are our secret IF you too wish to make a good meal.
Fresh tomatoes are our secret, for all of you out there in TVland who want to make a great meal.
Fresh tomatoes are our secret when we set out to make a great meal.

here, 'to' is part of the infinitive 'to make'

[dante1024]

So, if there are any differences in terms of their meaning?

[Snowcake]

Primarily, it's a grammar thing, dante.

There might be different shades of meaning.

Fresh tomatoes are the secret to (the) making (of a) good meal.

Fresh tomatoes are our secret when we set out to make a great meal.

'We' set out to make a great meal. Thus, we take the first steps towards the goal (to achieve it) of making a great meal, and using tomatoes are part of the first steps.

Thank you, David, 'my grammar man'.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by dante1024

So, if there are any differences in terms of their meaning?

Say:

So, are any differences in terms of their meaning?

~R