Can I say "What she likes is to swim" instead of "What she likes is swimming"?

Yes, you can use the infinitive "to swim" instead of the gerund "swimming" in this sentence. Both constructions are grammatically correct and mean the same thing: "What she enjoys doing is swimming."

When to use the infinitive and when to use the gerund

  • Use the infinitive when the action is seen as a general concept or purpose.
  • Use the gerund when the action is seen as a specific activity or event.

In this case, we are talking about her general喜好, so the infinitive "to swim" is more appropriate.

Examples

  • I like to play tennis. (general喜好)
  • I'm going to the pool to swim. (specific activity)

Additional notes

  • Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or the gerund without a change in meaning. For example, "I enjoy" can be followed by either "swimming" or "to swim."
  • However, some verbs require the infinitive and cannot be followed by the gerund. For example, "I want" requires the infinitive "to swim."

Related questions

  • Is it correct to say "I am going to swimming"?
    • No, it is not correct. You should say "I am going swimming."
  • Can I use the infinitive after "like"?
    • Yes, you can use the infinitive after "like" when the action is seen as a general concept or purpose.
  • Is it correct to say "What he likes to do is playing basketball"?
    • Yes, it is correct. However, it is more common to say "What he likes to do is play basketball."
  • What is the difference between "prefer" and "like"?
    • "Prefer" means to like one thing more than another. "Like" simply means to enjoy something.
  • When should I use "to" before the infinitive?
    • You should use "to" before the infinitive when it is used after certain verbs, such as "want," "need," and "like."

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