a gerund or an infinitive

[daisy1352]

Barbra forgot to send Bill a bithday card.
After "forger" we can use either a gerund or an infinitive. Why did he use "an infinitive" here?
Thanks

[vil]

I’m not a teacher.

Hi daisy1352,

With a verbs and word-groups both the gerund and the infinitive may be used. It is sometimes possible to find a reason for the use of a given form. With some verbs and word-groups, such as to be afraid, to forget, to like (dislike), to prefer the infinitive is mostly used with reference to a special occasion, the gerund being more appropriate to a general statement.

The child was not afraid of remaining alone, but he was afraid to remain alone on such a stormy night.

Don’t forget shutting the window when you leave home.

Don’t forget to shut the window when you leave home, it is very windy to-day.

Regards,

V.