"like to see" vs "like seeing"

[Sultano]

is it correct when we say"
I don't like seeing them. and is there a difference in meaning between the former sentense and this sentence " I don't like to see them. "

[Haihao]

"I don't like to see them" is correct" while "I don't like seeing them" is not.

[Yankee]

I'm afraid I have to disagree.

'I don't like seeing them' is fine, and so is 'I don't like to see them'.

Both 'like to do' and 'like doing' are in widespread use, and both 'like to see' and 'like seeing' sound perfectly normal and correct to my ear.

The two versions are often interchangeable with little or no difference in meaning.
However, the use of 'seeing' may suggest an activity more generally while 'to see' might to refer to specific acts.

Did you have a specific context in mind, Sultano?
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Haihao]

Oh yes, you are right, Amy. I am sorry for the wrong comment I made. Thank you for the correction, Amy. It was about to mislead Sultano.

[lost_soul]

[Sultano]

thanks Yankee!
I don't have a specfic context in mind, but in a situation, I was talking to one of my colleagues saying to him " I don't like seeing them.
but i guess " like doing something " is as a habit.let's say

"I like drinking tea" i always drink tea and i like it so much.
" i like to drink tea" i want some tea.

[lost_soul]

[Sultano]

but sometimes there is a amultiple choice between the two :
i like ................. with my friends.
a) to play football.
b) playing football.
c) played

[lost_soul]

[Sultano]

Yankee wrote:

"The two versions are often interchangeable with little or no difference in meaning.However, the use of 'seeing' may suggest an activity more generally while 'to see' might to refer to specific acts"

Thank you so much Yankee. that's what i want to know, I 've got the point- V+ing an activity more generally." to+ inf." refers to specific acts.
I do thank you again, Yankee.

[Inga]

Hi,
I like to do something can sometimes mean 'I think it's a good idea to do so or it will be useful to do so'. E.g. I like to go to a dentist once a year. I don't think anybody really enjoys going to a dentist.

[Inga]

As for playing football, I think -ing form is used to express 'I always enjoy, I like football', and to-infinitive is used in particular situation, as in I like to listen to music when I am all alone. Or I like to cook beef for John on Sundays.

[Inga]

Some more examples from Longman:
I like to go mountain biking on the weekends.
I like to try to eat well and keep myself healthy.