To get closed to

Question

After to 'get close to' is required an infinitive or a gerund and why?e.g. We were close to winning.       We were close to win.

Dave_anon · Accepted Answer

Hi

It is the gerund that is needed here..

- We were close to winning

The reason, I'd say, is because "to be close to" is a verb phrase that takes a noun or a gerund..

- I am close to my brother

- We are close to winning

This could be contrasted with..

- I need my brother

- We need to win

But here, "need" is not part of a verb phrase. It stands alone and takes a noun or an infirnitive

One way of thinking about this is to look at questions..

- What are we close to?

- Winning!

- What do we need?

- To win!

This shows that, in the first example, "to" belongs with "close". They make a verb phrase and they will be looking for a gerund

In the second example, "need" stands on its own and is looking for an infinitive

Hope this helps, Dave

Allthewayanime · Answer

Thank you so much for a detaliated explanation!

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