Gerunds vs. infinitives: Unveiling the subtleties with the Bolinger Principle

Hello, word enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating linguistic concept that sheds light on the nuanced difference between gerunds and “to” infinitives in English: the Bolinger Principle. This principle, proposed by linguist Dwight Bolinger, offers valuable insights into how we choose between these two verb forms and the subtle shades of meaning they convey.

The Bolinger Principle: A Quick Overview

Gerunds vs. Infinitives (Bolinger Principle)Gerunds vs. Infinitives (Bolinger Principle) - Notes

At its core, the Bolinger Principle suggests that gerunds and infinitives often reflect different temporal orientations:

• Gerunds: Typically associated with actions that are real, vivid, concrete, or completed. They tend to focus on the experience or result of an action.

• Infinitives: Often linked to actions that are hypothetical, future, potential, or unfulfilled. They emphasize the purpose, intention, or possibility of an action.

Putting the Principle into Practice

Let’s examine some examples to see how the Bolinger Principle plays out in real-world usage:

• Remember:

  • I remember locking the door. (Past action, concrete memory)
  • I remembered to lock the door. (Future action, intended or planned)

• Forget:

  • I’ll never forget seeing the Grand Canyon. (Past experience)
  • I forgot to buy milk at the store. (Unfulfilled intention)

• Stop:

  • He stopped smoking. (Cessation of a habit)
  • He stopped to smoke. (Pause in an activity for the purpose of smoking)

• Regret:

  • I regret telling him the truth. (Past action, feeling of remorse)
  • I regret to inform you that your application has been rejected. (Formal expression of an undesirable message)

• Try:

  • I tried restarting the computer, but it didn’t work. (Attempted action)
  • I’m trying to learn Spanish. (Ongoing effort towards a goal)

Navigating the Gray Areas

While the Bolinger Principle provides a useful framework, not all cases are clear-cut. Sometimes, the choice between gerund and infinitive can be a matter of personal preference or stylistic variation. Additionally, certain verbs have strong preferences for one form over the other, regardless of the principle.

Key Takeaways

• The Bolinger Principle offers a valuable lens for understanding the subtle differences between gerunds and infinitives.
• Gerunds often focus on the reality, vividness, or completion of an action.
• Infinitives often emphasize the potentiality, purpose, or unfulfilled nature of an action.
• While the principle is helpful, it’s not an absolute rule, and context always plays a role in language choices.

Important Note:

While the Bolinger Principle is a helpful guide, it’s not an absolute rule. Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, depending on the specific context and meaning. It’s essential for learners to also consider other factors, such as Collocations in English: The art of natural word pairing (words that frequently appear together) and individual verb preferences.

Overall, the Bolinger Principle serves as a valuable tool for English language learners to navigate the complexities of infinitive and gerund usage, contributing to more accurate and natural-sounding language production.

More examples

Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms that can be used as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Gerunds are formed by adding the suffix “-ing” to a verb. For example, the gerund of the verb “to walk” is “walking”. Gerunds can be used as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. For example:

• Subject: Walking is good exercise.
• Object of a verb: I enjoy walking.
• Object of a preposition: I am tired of walking.

Infinitives are formed by adding the word “to” to a verb. For example, the infinitive of the verb “to walk” is “to walk”. Infinitives can be used as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, the object of a preposition, or the complement of a verb. For example:

• Subject: To walk is good exercise.
• Object of a verb: I want to walk.
• Object of a preposition: I am going to walk to the store.
• Complement of a verb: I am happy to walk.

When to use gerunds vs. infinitives

There are a few general rules for when to use gerunds vs. infinitives.

• Gerunds are typically used after verbs that express actions or states of being. For example, we say “I enjoy walking” because the verb “enjoy” expresses a state of being.
• Infinitives are typically used after verbs that express goals or intentions. For example, we say “I want to walk” because the verb “want” expresses an intention.
• Gerunds are typically used after prepositions. For example, we say “I am tired of walking” because the preposition “of” takes a gerund as its object.
• Infinitives are typically used after modal verbs. Modal verbs are verbs that express possibility, necessity, or permission. For example, we say “I can walk” because the modal verb “can” takes an infinitive as its complement.

There are also some exceptions to these rules. For example, the verb “to like” can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive. We can say “I like walking” or “I like to walk”. The meaning is slightly different in each case. When we say “I like walking”, we are simply stating that we enjoy the activity of walking. When we say “I like to walk”, we are expressing a desire to walk.

Ultimately, the best way to learn when to use gerunds vs. infinitives is to practice using them in different sentences. The more you use them, the more natural they will become.

Here are some additional tips for using gerunds and infinitives:

• Use a thesaurus to help you find the right verb form. The thesaurus will give you a list of synonyms for the verb, and you can choose the form that is most appropriate for your sentence.
• Consult a grammar guide. A grammar guide can give you more detailed information about the rules for using gerunds and infinitives.
• Get feedback from a native speaker. If you are not sure which form to use, ask a native speaker for help.

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes with gerunds and infinitives.