Thread: Let anyone have their own ways

Originally Posted by Helenej

Help + gerund... Hmm. It’s new to me, too. My grammar guide must be too old.
Is "helps to disintegrate" possible, too?

Maybe "destroy" would be a better word, "Helps to destroy them."

Originally Posted by kgcole

Maybe "destroy" would be a better word, "Helps to destroy them."

Ok, Kevin. Thank you.
Nevertheless, "helps to destroy" or "helps destroying" in this particular sentence?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Ok, Kevin. Thank you.
Nevertheless, "helps to destroy" or "helps destroying" in this particular sentence?

Sure...probably several words could be used there. You not bad with the conjugations, so your choice

Originally Posted by kgcole

Sure...probably several words could be used there. You not bad with the conjugations, so your choice

It is not a matter of conjugations. Yet if both are possible then the difference is described by the well-known rule.
As an object, the infinitive refers to a specific occasion of a specific instance, whereas the gerund refers to something that is more general.

Originally Posted by Helenej

It is not a matter of conjugations. Yet if both are possible then the difference is described by the well-known rule.
As an object, the infinitive refers to a specific occasion of a specific instance, whereas the gerund refers to something that is more general.

As is most often the case, you'd have to write the sentence out in completion to see how it should change given each case.
I think your president, being Afro-American, is a great thing that helps to destroy them.
I think your president, being Afro-American, is a great thing that helps with destroying them.