infinitive as subject

[fluffyhamster]

Another nice pair of examples there, lolwhites, but Lotus' comments make me hesitate a bit (a bit hesitant) to use (a bit hesitant using?!) them.

[lolwhites]

Hmmmm. To me, I hesitate/I'm hesitant to + V sounds like "I'm reluctant to/would rather not..." while I'm hesitant + V-ing means "when I do this, I'm hesitant"

He was hesitant to cross the bridge - "Err, umm, do I really have to cross this bridge?"
He was hesitant crossing the bridge - "Whoops-a-daisy, careful now, slowly does it..."

Maybe it's just me.

[scot]

what is the rule for using the infinitive as the subject of a noun clause? can you?

example:

I found out that going to work everyday is important.
I found out that to go to work everyday is important.

both ok but gerund is more natural? im an esl teacher needing to explain this to a confused rule-loving student so any angles on this would help.

thanks
scott

[lolwhites]

Hi scot. I think that your example is covered by what Swan says; see the quote higher up the thread. Personally I find the gerund more natural here, but others may not agree.

Your student is probably confused precisely because (s)he is "rule loving"...