after an adjective or noun

Question

Hey.I am going to ask a question I have been struggling with for a long time. It's about 'to do', 'doing' and 'to be doing' after an adjective or a noun. a) It's weird talking in English.b) It's weird to talk in English.c) It's weird to be talking in English.I was told that a) is the best and most natural choice. Why isn't b) or c) ?Now:a) It sucks turning 20 in the states. b) It sucks to turn 20 in the states.c) IIt sucks (for me) to be turning  in the states. I was told c) is the best. Why not a) or b)?Then:a) It's creepy getting up there.b) It's creepy to get up there.c) It's creepy to be getting up there.I was told a) is the best decision. Why not b) or c) ?Again:a) If I was going to go out with you, I would be making the conscious choice dating a gym teacher.b) If I was going to go out with you, I would be making the conscious choice to date a gym teacher.c) If I was going to go out with you, I would be making the conscious choice to be dating a gym teacher.It's from a movie, and the way she said it was c). Why not a) or b) ?Then:a) It's hard doing that.b) it's hard to do that.c) It's hard to be doing that.I always hear a). Why not b) or c) ?I am soooo confused when to use 'to + verb', when '-ing' and when 'to be -ing'.I am really hoping you see my problem and would be glad to get an accurate answer because it's so confusing.Thanks!!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I don't agree with your findings, Anon. Perhaps I'm not understanding the question.

I guess you agree that all three are acceptable in the examples you give.
Of course you'll come across some adjective/verb combinations that don't work.

It would be a lot of work to survey the preferences for all the combinations.

It's hard to do that. This is simply an opinion, which can be based on your own experience OR on something you've heard or read.
It could refer to something as innocuous as lifting a heavy box, or removing an old style bottle cap with your teeth; or something which requires practice, like standing on your head. It typically refers to a single act, or a single category of act or skill, such as building a model airplane.

It's hard doing that. This is very much the same, but there seems to be more emphasis on the repetitive nature of the task. Perhaps something like doing pushups or vacuuming the whole house.

It's hard to be doing that. This goes a little farther in the same direction of a prolonged activity. It could be something like spending a whole day teaching a class of thirty-five first-graders.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI always hear a). Why not b) or c) ?

That's strange. I almost always hear b).

I would probably choose b) in all cases. It seems the most natural to me.

In your place I would always make b) my first choice, realizing that you'll hear other people use a) or c) from time to time. The slight differences are not worth worrying about.

CJ

after an adjective or noun

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