"start to learn" vs "start learning"

[englishstudent]

Hi,

Is it correct to use - 'start to learn' as in
'When did you start to learn Italian?'

If it is correct to use, then does it mean
something different from
'When did you start learning Italian?'

Thanks

 

[balkrishanjyoti]

Hi

I have been start to learn english. Are u ready to learn me a good languages.

Thanks

 

[pondering_mind]

Hi,

"When did you start learning Italian?" is a correct construction, while "When did you start to learn Italian?" isn't.

Pondering Mind.

 

[Tdol]

Hi,

Is it correct to use - 'start to learn' as in
'When did you start to learn Italian?'

If it is correct to use, then does it mean
something different from
'When did you start learning Italian?'

Thanks

They're both fine and there's no real difference between them. After progressive forms and with stative verbs like 'understand', we tend to use the infinitive, but there's no difference in meaning really.

 

[englishstudent]

tdol, thank you for clarifying that. I appreciate it.

 

[Tdol]

You're welcome. ;-)

PS- Remember that stop + gerund and stop + infinitive are different. ;-)

 

[dean]

PS- Remember that stop + gerund and stop + infinitive are different. ;-)

Hi tdol, :-D

I dont quite understand, Would you mind explaining that to me?

Regards,

dean

 

[Carolys]

I have realised about sth
I f you have already started doing sth you use ing
but if you haven't you don't use it
I dont know if it related with the past xD
can somebody clarify it?

 

[Carolys]

I have realised about sth
I f you have already started doing sth you use ing
but if you haven't you don't use it
I dont know if it related with the past xD
can somebody clarify it?

related to!!

 

[Temico]

Remember that stop + gerund and stop + infinitive are different.

Here is an example:-
a) You should stop seeing John because he is a horrible man.
b) Will you stop to see John on the way home?

 

[Umut HIZAR]

Hi,

Is it correct to use - 'start to learn' as in
'When did you start to learn Italian?

If it is correct to use, then does it mean
something different from
'When did you start learning Italian?'

Thanks

Let's see a different perspective:

"start + infinitive" = The decision of starting had been taken before the learning process began

"start + gerund" = The learning process began as soon as the decision was taken.

 

[Temico]

"start + infinitive" = The decision of starting had been taken before the learning process began

"start + gerund" = The learning process began as soon as the decision was taken.

Really? How about the following sentences:-

a) I started to speak intelligibly when I was two years old. (When was the decision of starting taken, may I ask? Is a two-year old kid capable of making decisions?)

b) I started speaking intelligibly when I was two years old. (Was there any decision taken, and if so, by whom, may I ask?)

 

[Umut HIZAR]

A good question

Was just a perspective; of course I know it.:cheers:

 

[JunieNg]

You're welcome. ;-)

PS- Remember that stop + gerund and stop + infinitive are different. ;-)

yep~~tdol is right~
say,

[stop + gerund] He stops smoking. (means he isn't smoking now)
[stop + infinitive] He stopes to smoke. (means he stops doing something, then he smokes)

other example can be:
"Stop talking!" is not equal to "Stop to talk!"

Hope I can help you~

Junie

 

[Tdol]

I'm with Temico- there's no real difference about time with the verb 'start' unlike most where we can use the two forms. ;-)

 

[englishstudent]

You're welcome. ;-)

PS- Remember that stop + gerund and stop + infinitive are different. ;-)

That is very interesting.
I had not even thought about it.
Just because start + gerund and start + infinitive are similar in
meaning, it does not follow that stop + gerund and stop + infinitive are
also similar/same. But I understand this one.
Thanks.tdol.

 

[balkrishanjyoti]

How can I start it in first time. Tell me all of you

 

[balkrishanjyoti]

I am now starting to learn a Italian Languages

 

[Tdol]

I am starting to learn Italian.
;-)