<aside> 💡 See also The Bolinger Principle: Your secret weapon for mastering infinitives and gerunds.

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Hello, word enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into a fascinating linguistic concept that sheds light on the nuanced difference between gerunds and "to" infinitives in English: the Bolinger Principle. This principle, proposed by linguist Dwight Bolinger, offers valuable insights into how we choose between these two verb forms and the subtle shades of meaning they convey.

The Bolinger Principle: A Quick Overview

At its core, the Bolinger Principle suggests that gerunds and infinitives often reflect different temporal orientations:

• Gerunds: Typically associated with actions that are real, vivid, concrete, or completed. They tend to focus on the experience or result of an action.
• Infinitives: Often linked to actions that are hypothetical, future, potential, or unfulfilled. They emphasize the purpose, intention, or possibility of an action.

Putting the Principle into Practice

Let's examine some examples to see how the Bolinger Principle plays out in real-world usage:

• Remember:
  • I remember locking the door. (Past action, concrete memory)
  • I remembered to lock the door. (Future action, intended or planned)
• Forget:
  • I'll never forget seeing the Grand Canyon. (Past experience)
  • I forgot to buy milk at the store. (Unfulfilled intention)
• Stop:
  • He stopped smoking. (Cessation of a habit)
  • He stopped to smoke. (Pause in an activity for the purpose of smoking)
• Regret:
  • I regret telling him the truth. (Past action, feeling of remorse)
  • I regret to inform you that your application has been rejected. (Formal expression of an undesirable message)
• Try:
  • I tried restarting the computer, but it didn't work. (Attempted action)
  • I'm trying to learn Spanish. (Ongoing effort towards a goal)

Navigating the Gray Areas

While the Bolinger Principle provides a useful framework, not all cases are clear-cut. Sometimes, the choice between gerund and infinitive can be a matter of personal preference or stylistic variation. Additionally, certain verbs have strong preferences for one form over the other, regardless of the principle.

Key Takeaways

• The Bolinger Principle offers a valuable lens for understanding the subtle differences between gerunds and infinitives.
• Gerunds often focus on the reality, vividness, or completion of an action.
• Infinitives often emphasize the potentiality, purpose, or unfulfilled nature of an action.
• While the principle is helpful, it's not an absolute rule, and context always plays a role in language choices.