like to watch vs. like watching

[ZeroSeven]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #164 "Grammar Crunch (3)", question 5

I like ......... movies on the weekends.

(a) watch
(b) watching
(c) watched
(d) watches

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #164 "Grammar Crunch (3)", answer 5

I like watching movies on the weekends.

Correct answer: (b) watching

Your answer was: incorrect
I like watch movies on the weekends.
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Hi. My Question is: Why is Watching and not is Watch? Maybe Because is a adverb? Please Help me. Thanks in advance

[Beeesneees]

I like watching movies.
I like to watch movies.
... but not 'watch' without 'to'
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[ZeroSeven]

Okidoki. Thanks for the Information

Regards

ZeroSeven

[Martha0108]

That means that I can say: I like to walk every day or I like walking everyday.

[Alan]

Remember in your sentence, you need two words - every day.

Sometimes the infinitive can be used to show a particular action rather than a general one.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Beeesneees]

Hello Martha,

Every day (a two word expression) means daily/each day.
Everyday (a one word expression) actually just means ordinary or commonplace.

As your meaning is 'daily' only 'every day' can be used in your sentence.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Martha0108]

[Beeesneees]

Both are correct.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Alan]

Yes, of course they are both correct but there is a difference in meaning.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Beeesneees]

In my view, the difference in meaning between
I like to walk every day
and
I like walking every day
is so small that a large number of the English speaking population would not differentiate.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Alan]

Well, there's a broad generalisation if you like.

Have a look at this:http://assets00.grou.ps/0F2E3C/wysiwyg_files/FilesModule/all4english/20101003183721-kmkjfpsfidnocfkar/gerund_infinitive.pdf

In a nutshell this suggests that the infinitive puts focus on the point of the activity and the gerund puts focus on the process of the activity. I am not so omniscient that I can speak on behalf any particular 'number of the English speaking population'!
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English as a Second Language
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[Beeesneees]

I'm aware that the focus changes but perhaps someone else will find your link useful.
I hope you noticed the 'In my view...' phrase at the start of my post. I'm entitled to voice my opinion based on my experiences. My purpose in doing so is to help learners understand that when they hear a native speaker use one of these two forms, it does not necessarily mean that the speaker is differentiating the way that the learner would.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Alan]

Nobody has said that you are not 'entitled to voice your opinion'. This is what everyone tries to do on these forums. My reference was to your use of the 'English speaking population'. It was the sweeping nature of the comment that prompted my remark, which you have failed to appreciate.
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions

[Beeesneees]

I believe I am right. I wouldn't expect you to agree with me, purely as a matter of course as much as anything else.
Whatever 'prompted your remark' in message #9 was obviously a different matter.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Alan]

You are always so defensive in your messages that you invariably miss the point. You just keep on thinking you're right if that keeps you happy.
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Make or Do?