动名词 vs. 不定式：理解英语中的“doing”和“to do”

Gerunds vs. To-Infinitives: Understanding "Doing" vs. "To Do" in English

动名词 vs. 不定式：理解英语中的“doing”和“to do”

In English, choosing between gerunds (verbs in the “-ing” form, like doing) and to-infinitives (verbs preceded by “to,” like to do) can be challenging, as the meaning or nuance often shifts depending on the form used. This article will guide you through the primary uses, common verbs, and subtle differences between these two forms, including when each is preferred, supported by detailed examples.

在英语中，选择动名词（动词的“-ing”形式，例如doing）和不定式（带有“to”的动词，例如to do）有时会很难，因为形式不同往往带来意义或细微差别的变化。本文将带你了解这些两种形式的主要用法、常见动词，以及它们之间的细微差别，还会通过详细的例句帮助你掌握在不同场景中如何正确使用它们。

Key Differences Between Gerunds and To-Infinitives

动名词和不定式的主要区别

1. Gerunds (Doing): Gerunds look like verbs ending in “-ing” but function as nouns in a sentence. Because of their noun-like qualities, gerunds are often used to refer to general activities or hobbies.
   动名词 (Doing)：动名词看起来是以“-ing”结尾的动词，但在句中却起名词的作用。由于动名词具有名词特性，它们通常用于指代一般活动或爱好。
   Example / 例句: I enjoy reading. (我喜欢阅读。)

2. To-Infinitives (To Do): To-infinitives are formed by adding “to” before the base form of a verb. They’re frequently used to express intentions, plans, or preferences for particular actions.
   不定式 (To Do)：不定式由“to”加上动词原形构成，常用于表达意图、计划或对特定动作的偏好。
   Example / 例句: I plan to travel next summer. (我计划明年夏天旅行。)

3. Rules for Using Gerunds and To-Infinitives:
   使用动名词和不定式的规则：

• Some verbs require one form or the other. For instance, enjoy is always followed by a gerund (enjoy swimming), while plan is followed by a to-infinitive (plan to swim).
  有些动词只能跟动名词或不定式。例如，enjoy 后面总是接动名词 (enjoy swimming)，而 plan 则接不定式 (plan to swim)。

• Certain verbs can take either a gerund or a to-infinitive with little change in meaning (begin to learn or begin learning). However, other verbs have significant shifts in meaning depending on the form used, such as remember to do (remember to complete something) versus remember doing (recall a past event).
  有些动词既可以接动名词又可以接不定式，意义差别不大（如begin to learn 或 begin learning）。但某些动词会因接动名词或不定式而产生显著意义差异，例如remember to do（记得去完成某事）和remember doing（回忆过去发生的事）。

Verbs That Can Be Followed by Either Gerund or To-Infinitive

可以接动名词或不定式的动词

For some verbs, both the gerund and to-infinitive forms are acceptable with minimal difference in meaning. Here are examples of such verbs:
对于某些动词，动名词和不定式形式都可以接受，且意义差异较小。以下是此类动词的例子：

• Start: “She started crying.” / “She started to cry.”

• Like: “I like swimming.” / “I like to swim.”

• Love: “He loves hiking.” / “He loves to hike.”

• Prefer: “They prefer walking.” / “They prefer to walk.”

In most cases, the choice between the gerund and the to-infinitive with these verbs is stylistic or depends on the emphasis: the gerund often suggests a general enjoyment of the activity itself, while the to-infinitive can indicate a preference for beginning or performing the activity.

在大多数情况下，这些动词后接动名词还是不定式的选择取决于风格或强调点。动名词常常表示对活动本身的喜欢，而不定式则更偏向于喜欢开始或进行某个活动。

Example Nuances / 细微差别的例句:

• I like reading books. (This implies an enjoyment of reading as an activity or hobby.)
  我喜欢读书。（暗示对阅读作为一种活动或爱好的喜爱）

• I like to read books before bed. (This implies a preference for the action, especially as a regular routine.)
  我喜欢在睡前读书。（暗示对这一行为的偏好，尤其是作为一种习惯）

Verbs with Clear Distinctions Between Gerund and To-Infinitive

动名词和不定式意义差别明显的动词

Certain verbs convey different meanings based on whether they’re followed by a gerund or a to-infinitive. Let’s explore a few key examples:
某些动词因接动名词还是不定式而产生不同含义。以下是几个关键例子：

1. Forget

• Forget to do: Failing to do something because it slipped your mind.
  忘记做某事，因为忘了去做。
  Example / 例句: I forgot to lock the door before leaving. (出门前忘了锁门。)

• Forget doing: Not remembering a past action.
  忘记曾经做过某事。
  Example / 例句: I forgot meeting him last year. (我忘了去年见过他。)

• Go on to do: Moving from one activity to a subsequent one.
  继续进行下一个活动。
  Example / 例句: After university, she went on to become a teacher. (大学毕业后，她成为了一名教师。)

• Go on doing: Continuing with the same activity.
  继续同一活动。
  Example / 例句: They went on talking for hours. (他们继续谈了好几个小时。)

• Quit to do: Stopping one action to start another.
  停止某个动作以便开始另一个动作。
  Example / 例句: He quit to pursue a new career. (他辞职去追求新事业。)

• Quit doing: Stopping an activity entirely.
  彻底停止某活动。
  Example / 例句: She quit smoking last year. (她去年戒了烟。)

• Remember to do: Recalling something necessary to complete.
  记得去做某事。
  Example / 例句: Remember to close the window before you leave. (记得离开前关窗。)

• Remember doing: Reflecting on a past experience.
  回忆过去的经历。
  Example / 例句: I remember visiting my grandparents every summer. (我记得每年夏天都会去看望祖父母。)

Practicing Gerunds and To-Infinitives in Everyday Use

在日常练习动名词和不定式

To master the use of gerunds and to-infinitives, practice creating sentences using both forms with the verbs provided in this guide.
要掌握动名词和不定式的使用，试着使用本文中提到的动词构造动名词和不定式的句子。

Remember:

• Read and listen: Expose yourself to English content to recognize how native speakers use gerunds and infinitives.
  多阅读和听英语内容，以了解母语者如何使用动名词和不定式。

• Create examples: For verbs like love and like, make two sentences, one with a gerund and one with a to-infinitive, to see the nuances yourself.
  自己多练习构造句子。对于 love 和 like 等动词，可以分别使用动名词和不定式来造句子，体会细微的差别。

In summary, gerunds and to-infinitives add layers of meaning to sentences and are essential to achieving fluency and clarity in English. With regular practice and exposure, choosing between “doing” and “to do” will start to feel natural. Happy practicing!
总结来说，动名词和不定式能够让句子表达更加丰富，对于流利和清晰的英语表达至关重要。只要多练习和接触，选择“doing”还是“to do”就会变得越来越自然。