His job is selling/to sell clothes

[bpr8283]

Are they correct?

Infinitives As Objects

1) "His job is to sell clothes." could be used instead of "His job is selling clothes."

If not, please explain. Infinitives can be used as nouns and so as objects.

Another example: "He likes to play cards." instead of "He likes playing cards."



Infinitives As Objects of Preposition

2) Can Infinitives be used as objects of preposition? Many sources say they cannot be used.

What is wrong with this sentence where "to begin" is an infinitive? Example: "The class is about to begin."


Infinitives As Subjects

3) Can "To Dance is her passion," be used instead of "Dancing is her passion." If not, please explain, as infinitives can be nouns and can be used as subjects.

Why is "To read is my favorite pastime." wrong when "To err is human." is correct?

 

[teechar]

Hi there, and welcome.

I see you've posted this to at least one other forum.

Infinitives As Objects, Subjects And Objects Of Preposition?

www.englishforums.com

In future, please do not post the same question simultaneously to more than one site. Doing so wastes our valuable time. Instead, post your question to one forum and wait for replies. If you're not satisfied with those replies, you can try another forum, but please indicate in your thread that you've already asked the same question elsewhere (provide a link), and outline why you were not satisfied with the answers you received already.

 

[Holmes]

Infinitives As Objects of Preposition

2) Can Infinitives be used as objects of preposition? Many sources say they cannot be used.

There are at least three (related) prepositions that can take an infinitive phrase as object: except, but, and save.

They want nothing except/save/but to see you succeed.

The people from whom you received answers to this question at the other site seem to have overlooked this.