proposing/to propose

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jasonkhlim

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Hello guys.:-D
"It makes him happy proposing to me"
Or
"It makes him happy to propose to me"

What is the difference?

Thank you.
 

emsr2d2

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Re: To or Ing?

"Proposing to me makes him happy" is more natural.

However, neither makes much sense. Using the present tense suggests a regular or habitual action. Usually, someone proposes to someone else (hopefully) just once, not on a regular basis.

Yesterday, Bob proposed to me. I said yes. It made him very happy!

I assume you know that "to propose" when used on its own usually means "to ask someone to marry you".
 

jasonkhlim

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Re: To or Ing?

"Proposing to me makes him happy" is more natural.

However, neither makes much sense. Using the present tense suggests a regular or habitual action. Usually, someone proposes to someone else (hopefully) just once, not on a regular basis.

Yesterday, Bob proposed to me. I said yes. It made him very happy!

I assume you know that "to propose" when used on its own usually means "to ask someone to marry you".

Yeah, I think your sentence sounds more natural.
But, "It makes him happy proposing to me", "proposing to me" functions as an adverbial?
 

Matthew Wai

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Re: To or Ing?

I consider it a gerund phrase, which functions as a noun.
 

Rover_KE

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Re: To or Ing?

I have changed your original thread title.

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'
 

jasonkhlim

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Re: To or Ing?

I consider it a gerund phrase, which functions as a noun.

Why is it a gerund phrase?
I thought gerund phrase always functions as a noun?

In this sentence, "Proposing to me makes him happy", I understand that ''proposing to me'' acts as gerund phrase, which function as a noun.
But in this sentence, "It makes him happy proposing to me", ''proposing to me'' functions as a noun too?
 
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