[Grammar] Difference Between "I like to do" and "I like doing" ?

[hooman79108]

Hi all
I'd like to know if there is any difference between these sentences.
What does it mean when someone says "I like to drink coffee" and "I like drinking coffee"?
Is there the same pattern or rule for using other words related to liking or hating like love, hate, detest, enjoy... instead of "like"?
Thank you... ;-)

 

[Tdol]

In BrE, we tend to use the infinitive when we're talking about specific circumstances:

I like to drink strong coffee in the morning. (specific)
I like drinking coffee. (general)

This distinction is less marked, or doesn't exist, in AmE, but I will leave that to American speakers.

 

[hooman79108]

Thank you Tdol
But I've read that we use infinitive it means I am interested to drink coffee at that moment but when we use verb+ing it means that I like coffee generally.
Is there any other idea?
;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

Thank you Tdol.
But I've read that we use the infinitive to mean 'I like to drink coffee at that moment' but when we use verb+ing it means that I like coffee generally.

;-)

Isn't that what Tdol said?

Rover

 

[Tdol]

But I've read that we use infinitive it means I am interested to drink coffee at that moment but when we use verb+ing it means that I like coffee generally.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a single moment, but a defined set of circumstances.