Verbs in the beginning of a phrase

[CarlosFelipe]

Verbs in the beggining of phrases
by CarlosFelipe » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:56 am

I have many doubts when using verbs in the beginning of a phrase.
For example, when enumerating tasks. Which ones are correct?

1. Watching a movie. / To stay at home / Stay at home.
2. Formatting a disk. / To format a disk. / Format a disk.
3. Staying at home. / To stay at home. / Stay at home.
4. Walking around. / To walk around. / Walk around.

I would be very glad if someone explained the different of meanings.
An explanation about the rules would be very appreciated.

Thank you all!

Carlos Felipe

[ETutor]

Carlos:

Usage of verbs at the beginning of sentences can be tricky. The correct usage of the examples above would be:

Watching a Movie
Formatting a Disk
Staying at Home
Walking around

Here are some examples of various sentences:

Watching a movie with friends is fun.
It is fun to watch a movie with friends

Staying at home is usually best when one is sick.
It is best to stay at home when one is sick.

I hope this is helpful.

[CarlosFelipe]

Thanks for your reply, ETutor.

I suppose that I would use "Watch a movie." or "Stay at home." as imperative form.

Is there any possible situation which I could use any of the other examples, such as:

To watch a movie.
To stay at home.

I have learned that I could use the form above when talking about theoretical situations. Is that correct?

Thank you once more.

Carlos Felipe

[Tukanja]

Even though my answers are probably mostly not correct ones I'd like to cut in and answer this question as well hoping that it will not be considered like bad behaving.

I think that in a context one can say

To watch a movie? No way. I was asked out for tonight.
To stay at home? I really can't. I must go to see the Rolling Stones' concert at the stadium.

Staying at home is usually considered like a bad solution by the nowadays youths.

Keeping on learning the language will bring me into position to have proper communication with the rest of the world.

[CarlosFelipe]

Thanks for your reply, Tukanja.

How should I shortly answer the following questions:

What do you want to do at night?
Answer: To watch a movie. OR Watching a movie.

What do you like to do?
Answer: To stay at home. OR Staying at home.

What options are correct?

Thank you again,

Carlos Felipe

[Tukanja]

What do you want (prefer) to do this evening? (evening here ~ countable noun)
To watch a movie.

What do you prefer doing at evening? (evening here ~ uncountable noun)
Watching film, having supper, then going out.

What do you like to do? (at the moment)
To stay at home.

What do you prefer, staying at home or going out?
Staying at home.
What do you prefer, to stay at home or to go out with that girl?
To go out, of course!

What options are correct?
Also I think Which option is correct? is also possible if there are two options only and both are given.

What will be my answers talking face to face, I have no idea.

[Tukanja]

What do you prefer (doing) to do at evening? (evening here ~ uncountable noun)
Watching film, having supper, then going out.

I think I made a mistake using the Present Participle instead of the Infinitive in this sentence.

[CarlosFelipe]

Thanks Tukanja.

You drew my attention to this:

What will be my answers talking face to face, I have no idea.

This is exactly what I would like to know. How to decide what to tell talking face to face.

Carlos Felipe

[ETutor]

To watch a movie is my idea of a fun Saturday night.
To stay at home is always relaxing.