why ING form

[english_learn]

Please look at the sentences below.

1.“One key to avoiding this kind of stress lies in gaining control over all aspects of the IT environment”

-- can’t we say “One key to avoid this kind ..” in the above sentences? Please tell me the grammar rule.

2.“The manager may start thinking about a career change” –

---can’t we say “ …start think…” in this sentence? Please tell me the grammar rule.

 

[sunsunmoon]

“One key to avoid this kind ..” is not correct.


Definition and pronunciation of key | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary
key
a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve something
key (to something)
The key to success is preparation.
key (to doing something)
The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.



“ …start think…” is not correct.

Wrong: start do something
Correct: start to do something
Correct: start doing something


Definition and pronunciation of start | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary
start to do something
It started to rain.
Mistakes were starting to creep in.
start doing something
She started laughing.

 

[english_learn]

Thanks for your answer mate ..

There is no consistency in English grammar. Very funny language

“One key to avoid this kind ..” is not correct.


Definition and pronunciation of key | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary
key
a thing that makes you able to understand or achieve something
key (to something)
The key to success is preparation.
key (to doing something)
The driver of the car probably holds the key to solving the crime.



“ …start think…” is not correct.

Wrong: start do something
Correct: start to do something
Correct: start doing something


Definition and pronunciation of start | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary
start to do something
It started to rain.
Mistakes were starting to creep in.

start doing something
She started laughing.

 

[Raymott]

Thanks for your answer mate ..

There is no consistency in English grammar. Very funny language

There are some inconsistencies in English. But what's the inconsistency you've identified here? Gerunds always end in '-ing'.

 

[english_learn]

Thanks for your great reply. I was looking for the word "Gerunds ". Thansk a lot..

Where can I find list of Gerunds?

There are some inconsistencies in English. But

what's the inconsistency you've identified here? Gerunds always end in '-ing'.

 

[Raymott]

Thanks for your great reply. I was looking for the word "Gerunds ". Thansk a lot..

Where can I find list of Gerunds?

You don't need a list of gerunds. You can take any verb and add "ing" and you've got one. (Sometimes you need to remove an 'e'...)
Talk - talking
write - writing

 

[Tdol]

We say key to something, so to is a preposition which goes with key, which is why we use a gerund after it and not an infinitive. It is key to + gerund, not key + to infinitive.