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To/Prep Ving

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blacknomi

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I'm interested in hearing that you got a real job.
==> When somebody is interested in doing something; it is said that he enjoys getting involved in that activity itself. He'd like to listen to ALL the details.


I'm interested to hear that you got a real job.
==> This one is close to the previous one, just that it might not focus more on the activity itself, it centers more upon the state of one's mind and the final result that someone else got a job.


What do you think?
 

Steven D

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blacknomi said:
I'm interested in hearing that you got a real job.
==> When somebody is interested in doing something; it is said that he enjoys getting involved in that activity itself. He'd like to listen to ALL the details.


I'm interested to hear that you got a real job.
==> This one is close to the previous one, just that it might not focus more on the activity itself, it centers more upon the state of one's mind and the final result that someone else got a job.


What do you think?


That sounds about right to me. I can't think of anything to add or subtract from that.

8) :) :shock:
 

blacknomi

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Would you like some buttered popcorn? Or mustard flavor as you wish. 8)

:popcorn:
 

blacknomi

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Really? :shock: Almost nothing to abstract from?! :D

Okay, would you care for another one?


No one is interested in buying second hand car.
No one is interested to buy second hand car. ( Awkward, huh?) :roll:
 

Steven D

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blacknomi said:
Really? :shock: Almost nothing to abstract from?! :D

Okay, would you care for another one?


No one is interested in buying second hand car.
No one is interested to buy second hand car. ( Awkward, huh?) :roll:


Yes, it's awkward. And "a - indefinite article" should before "second hand car".


:D 8)
 

Steven D

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blacknomi said:
Would you like some buttered popcorn? Or mustard flavor as you wish. 8)

:popcorn:


Buttered popcorn is fine, not too much salt though - just a little salt.

Thanks,

:)
 

blacknomi

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X Mode said:
blacknomi said:
Really? :shock: Almost nothing to abstract from?! :D
Okay, would you care for another one?
No one is interested in buying second hand car.
No one is interested to buy second a hand car. ( Awkward, huh?) :roll:

Yes, it's awkward. And "a - indefinite article" should before "second hand car".
:D 8)

But it's not so awkward that may impede understanding between a speaker and a listener. Aftering reading some examples, I conclude that some stative verbs such as understand, know, hear and see work well both in Prep+Gerund form and infinitive to form. But there are specific requirements when using an action verb with Prep+Gerund form. Agreed?

I'm going to prepare my lessons. I'll come up more examples later. :wink:
 

Steven D

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Sep 6, 2004
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blacknomi said:
X Mode said:
blacknomi said:
Really? :shock: Almost nothing to abstract from?! :D
Okay, would you care for another one?
No one is interested in buying second hand car.
No one is interested to buy second a hand car. ( Awkward, huh?) :roll:

Yes, it's awkward. And "a - indefinite article" should before "second hand car".
:D 8)

But it's not so awkward that may impede understanding between a speaker and a listener. Aftering reading some examples, I conclude that some stative verbs such as understand, know, hear and see work well both in Prep+Gerund form and infinitive to form. But there are specific requirements when using an action verb with Prep+Gerund form. Agreed?

I'm going to prepare my lessons. I'll come up more examples later. :wink:


No, I don't think it would impede understanding between a speaker and a listener.

But there are specific requirements when using an action verb with Prep+Gerund form. Agreed? <<

There could be. Could you give some examples? I'm not sure I know exactly what you mean.

:idea: :?: :D :shock: 8)
 

blacknomi

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Did I post this one there? I forgot. Anyways, I'll just start from here.


I'm interested to + infinitive stative verbs(know, read, see, undersand, hear, etc.)
==> Not all the stative verbs work here.

I'm interested in + Gerund(often time they are action verbs)
==> Again, it gives progressive image, focusing on the whole action. ( I've posted it there, tell me what you think)


I'm sorry to ask you a lot.
I'm sorry for asking you a lot.
To me, the second one sounds more colloquial. Other than that, I can't feel anything. :shock: (zombie face here)
 

Steven D

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Sep 6, 2004
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English Teacher
blacknomi said:
Did I post this one there? I forgot. Anyways, I'll just start from here.


I'm interested to + infinitive stative verbs(know, read, see, undersand, hear, etc.)
==> Not all the stative verbs work here.

I'm interested in + Gerund(often time they are action verbs)
==> Again, it gives progressive image, focusing on the whole action. ( I've posted it there, tell me what you think)


I'm sorry to ask you a lot.
I'm sorry for asking you a lot.
To me, the second one sounds more colloquial. Other than that, I can't feel anything. :shock: (zombie face here)

The first one sounds more formal to me. The second one sounds more informal and common. I would not call it colloquial, as "colloquial" can at times be associated with language that is "non standard" or not 100% correct. The second sentence is perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong with it at all.

And yes, the first one sounds more formal. Context means a lot.

The same thing goes for the other examples as well.

:D 8)
 

Steven D

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English Teacher
I'm interested in + Gerund(often time they are action verbs)

==> Again, it gives progressive image, focusing on the whole action. ( I've posted it there, tell me what you think) <<

Yes, there is more emphasis placed on the action continuing than on it being an action that is completed at one point in time.

You've got it.

8) :D
 

Steven D

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Sep 6, 2004
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English Teacher
I'm interested to + infinitive stative verbs(know, read, see, undersand, hear, etc.)
==> Not all the stative verbs work here.



I'm not sure I've noticed that. Could you give a couple of examples, please?

:?: :idea:

:D
 

Steven D

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Member Type
English Teacher
Did I post this one there? I forgot. Anyways, I'll just start from here.


That's a good idea.

8) :wink: :idea: :D
 

twostep

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May 10, 2004
blacknomi said:
I'm interested in hearing that you got a real job.
==> When somebody is interested in doing something; it is said that he enjoys getting involved in that activity itself. He'd like to listen to ALL the details.


I'm interested to hear that you got a real job.
==> This one is close to the previous one, just that it might not focus more on the activity itself, it centers more upon the state of one's mind and the final result that someone else got a job.


What do you think?

Can you please give some more detail? Without context it does not make a lot of sense.
 

blacknomi

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Hi,

I was trying to compare the diffferences between be interested in Gerund and be interested "to" infinitive.


1. Both sentences are equally the same to my students.
2. Both sentence are not exactly the same to me, a bit difference on semantics though.


Which one? :)
Are you interested in reading my thread?
Are you interested to read my thread?
 

blacknomi

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Apr 21, 2004
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Meeeeeow! Meowwwww! :shock: :wink:

(Translation: How are you, cat friend?!)

:D
 

twostep

Senior Member
Joined
May 10, 2004
blacknomi said:
Meeeeeow! Meowwwww! :shock: :wink:

(Translation: How are you, cat friend?!)

:D
Cat friend and real cat are fine but have a lot of office work to catch up on and will be back by tomorrow. Miau
 
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