English Vocabulary

swimming or to swim

Fugendichter

User since 2008
Posts: 588

14 April 2008

Who of you can tell me whether both of these forms are correct?

I like to swim

I like swimming

Have a nice week with gymglish!

Gwendo

5 comments

mukanoc
User since 2008
Posts: 1
16 July 2008

Hello Gwendo,

I think it's better to say "I like swimming"
Hello Gwendo, I think it's better to say "I like swimming"
mathiou
User since 2007
Posts: 15
11 Sept. 2008

Do you know a good adress from internet where they propose a complete list of verbs followed of "to" or "+ing" ??
Do you know a good adress from internet where they propose a complete list of verbs followed of "to" or "+ing" ??
Isabell L
User since 2008
Posts: 1
17 April 2008

Hello Gwendo,

Yes, both of those forms are correct, though the most commonly used form (the form used most in everyday English) is 'I like swimming'. :)

Enjoy Gymglish!

Isabell.
Hello Gwendo, Yes, both of those forms are correct, though the most commonly used form (the form used most in everyday English) is 'I like swimming'. :) Enjoy Gymglish! Isabell.
chirac
User
Posts: 4
12 Aug. 2008

how dye gwendo iI thing that it good to say swimming because if you say swim is bad because swim is the verb .if you say I like swim it stand for in french je veux nager but this sentence is false
how dye gwendo iI thing that it good to say swimming because if you say swim is bad because swim is the verb .if you say I like swim it stand for in french je veux nager but this sentence is false
AhQ ['a: kiu]
User since 2006
Posts: 2715
11 Sept. 2008

Hi mathiou,

I cannot meet your request and hope someone else will.

I'd take the opportunity to come back to the issue ruling this thread.

Some auxiliary verbs imply a following with to + inf. and others require the -ing form. But some, like "to like", accept either, depending on the meaning.

I like to swim = I want to swim, I wish to swim.
Would you like to swim in the pond? Would you like to swim or to sunbathe?

I like swimming = I enjoy swimming
Be it in general: I like swimming.
Or at a particular moment: I (now) like swimming with you in this pool.
Hi mathiou, I cannot meet your request and hope someone else will. I'd take the opportunity to come back to the issue ruling this thread. Some auxiliary verbs imply a following with to + inf. and others require the -ing form. But some, like "to like", accept either, depending on the meaning. I like to swim = I want to swim, I wish to swim. Would you like to swim in the pond? Would you like to swim or to sunbathe? I like swimming = I enjoy swimming Be it in general: I like swimming. Or at a particular moment: I (now) like swimming with you in this pool.

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