start to do Vs start doing

[Tuhaj]

Hi

Could somebody explain me when we use start to do sth and when start doing sth. I'v heard that there is difference between those two sentences.

Thank you for your answer

 

[Odessa Dawn]

Hi

Could somebody explain me when we use start to do sth and when start doing sth. I'v heard that there is difference between those two sentences.

Thank you for your answer

***NOT A TEACHER***
See:

Nguyet from Vietnam:
Question: I would like to know what is different between "start doing " and "start to do".

Answer: And Nguyet your question is about a verb which takes both patterns and there is no difference in meaning. The verb 'start'. You can say 'start to do' and 'start doing', for example "Last year I started learning Chinese" or, "Last year I started to learn Chinese." Both are correct and both have the same meaning. Some native speakers may prefer one form over the other, but this will be for regional or personal reasons.
BBC World Service | Learning English | Ask about English

 

[nyota]

Also:

(...) begin and start may be used with either the infinitive or -ing, but there is a tendency to use the infinitive for events that are impersonal (It begins to get cold) or involuntary (I began to get cold) and -ing for voluntary actions (we start getting ready).

However, both begin and start are used with the infinitive when:
i) they are in the progressive form (are starting)
ii) the verb that follows (to realise) has no progressive form

H. Gethin, Grammar in Context