The two examples you gave are indeed different in meaning just as other
verbs such as "remember to +V" as opposed to "remember + V+ing" or the verb
"stop" with either gerund or an infinitive. The verbs "like, love, can't
stand, hate, prefer, start, etc" have the same meanings with either gerund
or infinitive.

Dalia
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Veit <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 9:15 PM
Subject: Re: <no subject>


> I agree that both the infinite and gerund are objects (noun phrases):
"I've
> tried to improve...," "I've tried improving...." Curiously, however, I
> don't read them as synonymous.
>
> I read the gerund sentence "I've tried Xing" as meaning I actually did it
> but wasn't pleased with the results: "I've tried sleeping with a night
> light, but I was scared anyway."
>
> I read the infinitive sentence "I've tried to X" as meaning I tried but
did
> not necessarily succeed in doing it: "I've tried to overcome my fear of
> snakes."
>
> That difference isn't there with other verbs: "I like surfing," "I like to
> surf." On the other hand, there is a difference between "I'd like surfing"
> and "I'd like to surf." The former is a hypothetical consideration, while
> the latter is expressing an actual desire. Anyone have thoughts on these?
>
> Dick Veit
>
> At 03:47 PM 8/2/2001, Dalia Stein wrote:
> >It is a noun and the object of the verb just as a gerund can be the
object
> >of the verb "try" : I've tried improving my grades, but haven't succeeded
> >yet.
>
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