Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
general expenses; manufacturing and business expenses
cash
border
overhead
layman
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Noun Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Continue + infinitive/ continue + gerund



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Progressive Forms | What’s good for the goose is good for the gander -or not? :)
Message Author
Continue + infinitive/ continue + gerund Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:44 am  Continue + infinitive/ continue + gerund
 

I know we have discussed this issue before but I'd like to hear your opinion on this particular example. What do you think is the difference betweeen

Please continue to practice/practise and
Please continue practicing/practising?

Thanks a lot,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary
Torsten
Learning Coach
Torsten Daerr

Joined: 25 Sep 2003
Posts: 8250
Location: EU

Practise Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:39 am  Practise
 

Hi Torsten,

You asked for the difference between these two:

Quote:
Please continue to practice/practise and
Please continue practicing/practising?

Generally speaking the infinitive has greater precison than the gerund. I think I can best amplify this by taking two sentences/situations.

Imagine someone is playing the piano and is in fact practising. You walk into the room and the person stops playing. You say:

Please continue to practise and take no notice of me.

In another situation the music teacher says to the pupil who's not very good at playing the piano that practice is vital and says:

If you really want to become a proficient player, you must continue practising.

The first situation, I hope illustrates the particular (infinitive) and the second one the general (gerund)

Having said all that, I must say there is a fine line between the two.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Saying It Twice
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7730
Location: UK

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsHave you read a good anecdote today? Subscribe to free email English courseDo you know how to use the relative pronoun?
Continue + infinitive/ continue + gerund Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:45 am  Continue + infinitive/ continue + gerund
 

Thanks for your explanation Alan, it makes perfect sense.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary
Torsten
Learning Coach
Torsten Daerr

Joined: 25 Sep 2003
Posts: 8250
Location: EU

Display posts from previous:   
Progressive Forms | What’s good for the goose is good for the gander -or not? :)
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Continue + infinitive/ continue + gerund All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
To triple vs to treble; a verb for 'make thrice as less'If you get a chance this week, please check it out?Structure correction: The chief editorial concern in magazinExpression: "spill my guts" US slang?"Example given" versus "Given example"Active vocabulary: Surreal, stultify, esotericSynonymous expressions: "Give it a whack"Frowning to himself :)A good horse is never a bad color?Difference between industrious and hard working"The radio" versus "The TV"'Pucker its lips' versus 'Purse its lips'"You left" versus "You had left"Phrase: "His money running out..."'Much' + countable nouns?Meaning of 'a double tube tongue'Mistakable versus ambiguous"in" the street or "on" the streetContinue + infinitive/ continue + gerund

Discover English-test.net
Where we can download staffs?Idiom: 'make believe'Examples of the positions of appositive nounsThread title changesUnderlying meaning.GRE Verbal Quiz: Games to teach English Vocabulary: Verb ListsGRE preparation test: Word quizes: Free Online Verbs QuizMeaning of obfuscate, defoliate, glut, glean, fritter, sear, disbandDefinition of tea, second, result, official, gather, comment, fool, husband, navy, thankEnglish compound adjectives: GMAT WordsEnglish grammar quiz: Business buzzwords: Animal marketsThe Quilts of Gee's Bend: Adult Tour audiobook download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail