There is nothing I like/hate more than + infinitive or -ing form

[JACEK1]

Hello everybody!

Which form does the structure "There is nothing I like/hate more than...?"

the infinitive - There is nothing I like more than to take a break after a hard day's work?

or

the -ing form - There is nothing I like more than taking a break after a hard day's work?

Thank you.

 

[Tarheel]

Well, you can use either one. Do whatever makes you happy.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Both the gerund (-ing form) and the infinitive are nouns. They both work in your sentence, but there are times when only one will do.

 

[JACEK1]

I don't understand what you mean by saying that the infinitive are nouns. If you say that only one structure works for all conditions, I think it might be "There is nothing I like/hate more than + -ing form". What do you think?
Please put me right on that.

 

[Tarheel]

I don't understand what you mean by saying that the infinitive and the gerund are nouns. If you say that only one structure works for all conditions, I think it might be "There is nothing I like/hate more than + -ing form". What do you think? Please put me right on that.

It's simple. The word or phrase functions as a noun. Example:

A: There is nothing I like more than eating pizza.

B:What about basketball?

A: Okay. There is nothing I like more than eating pizza while watching basketball.

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[JACEK1]

I agree but you gave the examples of -ing form not the infinitive.

 

[Tarheel]

I agree, but you gave the examples of -ing form not the infinitive.

Yes, but I had to leave something for Mike to do.

;-)

 

[JACEK1]

Do you agree that "There is nothing I like/hate more than + -ing form" structure works for all conditions?

 

[MikeNewYork]

I love to take a walk in the morning. The infinitive phrase is "to take a walk in the morning" It functions as a noun, the direct object of "love".
I love walking in the morning. The gerund phrase is "walking in the morning". It functions as a noun, the direct object of "love".

Jacek, is that clear?