Learn French 100% free Get 1 free lesson per week // Add a new lesson
Log in!

> Log in <
New account
Millions of accounts created on our sites.
JOIN our free club and learn French now!




Get a free French lesson every week!

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Print
  • Guestbook
  • Report a bug


  •  



    Help/like to or like - ing

    << English only || Bottom

    [POST A NEW REPLY] [Suivre ce sujet]


    Help/like to or like - ing
    Message from xinjie posted on 16-12-2009 at 15:06:56 (D | E | F)

    Hello,
    who can tell me which sentence is right and why:

    she likes PLAYING tennis at least twice a week.
    or
    she likes TO PLAY tennis at least twice a week.
    thanks very much!



    -------------------
    Edited by lucile83 on 16-12-2009 15:21


    Re: Help/like to or like - ing from seb06000, posted on 16-12-2009 at 16:35:44 (D | E)
    Hello,

    In fact, it is not that easy: Normally you must use the ING form after a verb of taste/preference => he likes going to the seashore, he prefers playing the piano, he hates dancing etc => when it refers to a usual thing, a habit, something general

    Yet, you can use an infinitive form when it refers to a precise action, something ponctual and usual.Often, you'll find a tense mark: now etc

    -You like eating chocolate => permanent truth

    -he'd like to go to seashore now => ponctual

    I hope this helps !

    Feel free to ask for any detail!

    Regards

    Sébastien

    -------------------
    Edited by seb06000 on 16-12-2009 16:36

    -------------------
    Edited by lucile83 on 16-12-2009 17:33
    3 hours'detention seb !



    Re: Help/like to or like - ing from xinjie, posted on 17-12-2009 at 11:21:55 (D | E)
    thank you ,but this sentence has said "at least twice a week".does that represent a habit or a usual thing? if this is a multiple choice in test,ask our to choose one answer " to play"?or "playing".which one is right?
    regards.


    Re: Help/like to or like - ing from seb06000, posted on 17-12-2009 at 11:40:11 (D | E)
    hello,

    "twice a week' implies that there's a repetition, a frequency: the situation happens twice every week => it's a habit so you must say => She likes playing tennis.

    Regards

    sébastien


    Re: Help/like to or like - ing from xinjie, posted on 17-12-2009 at 14:03:51 (D | E)
    ok ,i see.
    thanks so much!



    [POST A NEW REPLY] [Suivre ce sujet]


    << English only