infinitive vs. gerund

[vivianlee10]

Could anyone help me figure the following question out:
What is the difference between infinitive and gerund when they are used as subject?
Ex. "To have a good study habit" is important for him. vs. "Having a good study habit" is important for him.

Thank you for answering this question.

[susiedqq]

Your examples show the difference. It is simply how they are worded.

1) "To have a good study habit" is important for him. is the infinitve expression

and

2) "Having a good study habit" is important for him. is a gerund form.

NOW - about the MEANING of these two sentences. They ARE different.

"To have good study habits is important to him" means that this particular quality is important. In a list of important qualities, to have good study habits would be included.

"Having good study habits is important to him." seems more personal and implies that this is a quality that he practices.