
Student or Learner
Barbra forgot to send Bill a bithday card.
After "forger" we can use either a gerund or an infinitive. Why did he use "an infinitive" here?
Thanks
I’m not a teacher.
Hi daisy1352,
With a verbs and word-groups both the gerund and the infinitive may be used. It is sometimes possible to find a reason for the use of a given form. With some verbs and word-groups, such as to be afraid, to forget, to like (dislike), to prefer the infinitive is mostly used with reference to a special occasion, the gerund being more appropriate to a general statement.
The child was not afraid of remaining alone, but he was afraid to remain alone on such a stormy night.
Don’t forget shutting the window when you leave home.
Don’t forget to shut the window when you leave home, it is very windy to-day.
Regards,
V.
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