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would enjoy + v.ing ?

Posted by Natsumi · October 2, 2015 · 3 replies

Hi!

Which form is it correct?

1. I would enjoy playing golf.

OR

2. I would enjoy to play golf.

Thank you.

3 Replies

I would enjoy playing golf.

Verb expressing "enjoyment" or lack of it take V+ ing. So eg :

I love playing golf
I (don't) like playing golf
I (don't) enjoy playing golf
I hate playing golf.

If those verbs change and take an infinitive form then there's a usually change in meaning - they are no longer expressing "enjoyment" but another meaning - eg :

a) wanting to do something : I would like to play golf tomorrow (= I want to play golf tomorrow)
or
b) recommendations. Compare :

I don't like going to the dentist ( = I don't enjoy going)
but I like to go every six months so that there's never anything serious to do ( I like to go = I think it's a good idea)

"enjoy" always expresses the concept of enjoyment (because of its lexical meaning) and so can never change. So..
I expect I would enjoy playing golf if I had the chance, but it's too expensive .. is still expressing the concept of "enjoyment" even in hypothetical form.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for your reply Susan53.

What about "would enjoy" + to infinitive? Is it also correct?

We use TO INF. after I would like/prefer/hate/etc..., except "I would mind" which follows v.ing. Does "would enjoy" follow the same pattern as "would mind"?

No. Look what I said above :

"enjoy" always expresses the concept of enjoyment (because of its lexical meaning) and so can never change. So..
I expect I would enjoy playing golf if I had the chance, but it's too expensive .. is still expressing the concept of "enjoyment" even in hypothetical form.