[mesmark]

1. His problem is always being late.
2. *His problem is always to be late.

1. His dream is to be a doctor.
2. *His dream is being a doctor.

What is the rule here that makes #2 wrong?

Does 'to verb' need to be a future event? And 'verb-ing' is a current event in that situation?

[teachingenglishmadeeasy]

Quote mesmark

1. His problem is always being late.
2. *His problem is always to be late.

1. His dream is to be a doctor.
2. *His dream is being a doctor.

What is the rule here that makes #2 wrong?

Does 'to verb' need to be a future event? And 'verb-ing' is a current event in that situation?

This is a thinker....Okay...

"to be" indicates, in my opinion, a goal that is fulfilled once reached whereas -ing, as you stated, indicates a current situation. Therefore, number 2 of the second set indicates that he dreams of being a doctor and to be in the situation and experience all of the things associated with being a doctor. "To be" is only indicating to become a doctor and nothing more.

I wouldn't say there is a rule per se, but, that is the explanation I'd give. Don't know if it's good enough though.

[ordeal]

Hi!
Perhaps this case refers to a possible use of present continuous: when you complain about bad habits.

e.g. You are always complaining about my cooking. (Vince)

[Beatrix]

I am not a native speaker but I would make a parallel here with other cases where "to verb" refers to a future action, while -ing implies that the action is already in progress


as in : "I stopped to make phone calls"
"I stopped making phone calls"