Are these two sentences correct? Is there any difference between the two? I am french and this point is quite difficult to understand
2007-11-17 00:19:31 · 15 answers · asked by kobayashi 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I like playing tennis would be used more often.
The two posters above who said the -ing form suggests that you do it more frequently are right; another possible subtle difference is that "I like playing tennis" always means you enjoy the activity in and of itself, while "I like to play tennis" could possibly mean you derive some sort of benefit (health, social, money) from the fact of playing, or you like the idea of playing, but you don't enjoy doing it.
2007-11-17 02:23:19 · answer #1 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No real difference, except saying"I like to play tennis" might mean that a person doesn't play often, and "I like playing tennis" means that the person plays regularly. It is a subtle and minor differemce.. The English language can be confusing even to its native speakers & writers.
2007-11-17 00:22:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could say either, the only slight difference is the second one would give the impression you have been doing it more often.
For instance, if I said I like having sex, it might imply I was having sex regularly but if I said I like to have sex, that might imply I like it when I have it but it might not be very often.
But notice the use of the word 'might', it's a subtle difference and in conversation most people might not even notice it.
2007-11-17 01:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by Jack c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, there is no difference. i understand where your comming from. i came from Italy when i was 10. now im 25! So there isnt any difference. TO is just an article, along with the other words like, and, the, and it.
hope i helped!
2007-11-17 00:24:56 · answer #4 · answered by l♥ve 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like to play tennis means you are talking about something you like to do. I like playing tennis means you actually like playing it.
2007-11-17 00:23:13 · answer #5 · answered by Daisy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there isnt really a difference. playing is different than to play, but they mean the same thing, its just 2 ways of saying it. to play is like the infinitive, and i dont know what playing is called.lol. english is confusing to me to, and its my first language!
2007-11-17 03:05:53 · answer #6 · answered by Veggie girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like to play tennis: To play is in an infinitive form which means you wouldn't conjagate it.
I like playing tennis: It's in present tense so you would conjagate it.
2007-11-17 00:42:28 · answer #7 · answered by PerfectRegret 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No - there is no difference in the meaning.
2007-11-17 00:22:48 · answer #8 · answered by Robert W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are both correct and basically mean the same
2007-11-17 00:22:33 · answer #9 · answered by asdfgh 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nothing
2007-11-17 00:23:52 · answer #10 · answered by Jadore 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋