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Marina
Hello!
I'm a bit puzzled by these sentences from one course book (the screenshot is attached).
I thought that there should be used infinitive as "interesting" and "nice" are adjectives. Could you please explain why gerund is used here?
🤷♀️
11 apr. 2025 11:57
Antwoorden · 3
2
You can use either form after an adjective, but they may have a different emphasis. Using the present participle focusses on the activity [process] and the infinitive focusses on the act of doing it [result].
It was really interesting to talk to him. - I found it useful
It was really interesting talking to him. - I enjoyed speaking to him
Sometimes there isn't much difference but sometimes it would be really strange to use one rather than the other.
It was nice to meet you. = It was nice meeting you.
It was good to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. = the result was good
It was good getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist. = I enjoyed the process
The second one would sound a bit strange - though of course it's possible)
It would be the same for verbs like 'like' and 'love', by the way.
11 apr. 2025 15:21
Heb je je antwoorden nog steeds niet gevonden?
Schrijf je vragen op en laat de moedertaalsprekers je helpen!
Marina
Taalvaardigheden
Chinees (Mandarijn), Engels, Russisch, Oekraïens
Taal die wordt geleerd
Chinees (Mandarijn)
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