<p>I'm really having some trouble deciding on when to use a gerund versus an infinitive for error identification questions. Look at these examples...</p>
<p>Though she was one of the few women of her time "gaining" international prominence, Clara Barton would not have described herself as a proponent of women's rights.</p>
<p>The sentence should be...</p>
<p>Though she was one of the few women of her time "to gain" international prominence, Clara Barton would not have described herself as a proponent of women's rights.</p>
<p>I don't understand why one should be used over the other. Especially after I look at these sentences which are both right...</p>
<p>Today, the members of Ms. Morenos physics class will begin "reviewing" for the final exam.
Today, the members of Ms. Morenos physics class will begin "to review" for the final exam.</p>
<p>What is the difference and when should an infinitive be used over a gerund or vice versa??? I really need some help here.</p>
<p>Well, at a glance, the one about reviewing for the final is in present tense and about what someone is about to do/doing. With the one about Clara, it was a past tense description about what she was doing, so if you address it later, using “to gain” is appropriate because she isn’t still gaining in the past part of her career. </p>
<p>That’s what I sense from it, but I’m not an expert and I don’t have any specific rule or explanation. Going at it with a common sense/sounds right approach, that’s why I think it’s okay for the reviewing one to be in either.</p>
<p>Hahaha yeah I’m using Erica’s book. It’s top notch. I didn’t mention it in the original post because it was unnecessary. I’ve been looking at the pages and the chart but I couldn’t come to a conclusion. Opori2’s response was really helpful. Thanks.</p>