The choice between using the infinitive phrase or the gerund phrase is simply a matter of personal choice in that particular case. Some operative verbs can take either a gerund or infinitive as direct object, but other verbs balk and won't ever take an infinitive as direct object, meaning to say that the construction wouldn't read or sound right. In sentences with "continue" as operative verb, for instance, the verb can take either a gerund phrase or infinitive phrase as direct object (or as object of the preposition). In contrast, however, other operative verbs can only take a gerund or gerund phrase — never an infinitive or infinitive phrase—as direct object. We just have to play it by ear when we construct sentences using specific operative verbs.

Source: Manila Times May 04, 2022 16:40 UTC