Would like plus infinitive or gerund is a common grammatical structure in English that is used to express desires, preferences, and intentions. This structure is formed by combining the modal verb “would” with the base form of a verb (infinitive) or the gerund form of a verb. Understanding the difference between these two forms and when to use them correctly is essential for effective communication in English.
In the sentence “I would like to go to the movies,” the word “to go” is in its infinitive form. This form is typically used after “would like” to express a desire or preference. The infinitive form of a verb is used to indicate the basic meaning of the verb without any additional information about time or manner. In this case, “to go” simply means the act of going without specifying when or how.
On the other hand, the gerund form of a verb is formed by adding the suffix “-ing” to the base form of the verb. It is used to express an action that is ongoing or habitual. For example, in the sentence “I would like going to the movies,” the word “going” is in its gerund form. This sentence implies that the speaker enjoys the activity of going to the movies, rather than just expressing a desire to go.
It is important to note that the gerund form of a verb cannot be used after “would like” in the same way the infinitive form can. The gerund form is used in other contexts, such as after prepositions or in certain phrasal verbs. For instance, “I look forward to going to the movies” is a correct sentence that uses the gerund form after the preposition “to.”
Understanding the difference between the infinitive and gerund forms of a verb is crucial for using “would like” correctly. To summarize, the infinitive form is used to express a desire or preference, while the gerund form is used to describe an ongoing or habitual action. By being aware of these differences, English speakers can effectively communicate their intentions and preferences in a clear and concise manner.
