Gerund Vs Infinitive

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swati
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Gerund Vs Infinitive

Post by swati »

• Having more than the usual number of fingers or toes on the hands or feet is termed
polydactyly.

• To have more than the usual number of fingers or toes on the hands or feet is termed
polydactyly.


I want to know which of the above is a correct sentence and why?

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Alan
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Re: Gerund Vs Infinitive

Post by Alan »

Only the first is both grammatical and natural.

Gerunds rather than infinitives are preferred as subjects when the main clause denotes something that actually exists/occurs, and infinitives where something unreal or hypothetical is discussed. Since this medical conditonal actually occurs, the gerund is preferable here.
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