97. What verbals can be used as subject or object?
Infinitive or gerund may be used as subject: To ask that question at the time was not very tactful.
Asking such questions was not very tactful.
Infinitive or gerund is often used as object (direct or indirect).
Direct object: He liked to ask questions.
He liked asking questions.
Both the infinitive and gerund will be used here after the verbs denoting liking (disliking), remembering (forgetting): like, dislike, hate, want (in the meaning of desire), detest, remember, forget and such phrases as “can’t bear”, “can’t afford”. But only gerund will be used after the verbs delay, excuse, out off, want (in the meaning of need), and the adjectives like, busy, worth.
The question is worth answering.
Indirect prepositional object. I am tired of answering such questions.
Only the gerund is used in this function after certain verbs requiring a prepositional object or when used as object to such adjectives as fond of, tired of, proud of, ignorant of, used to.
98. What are the verbs which can be followed by –ing or to with a difference of meaning?
