"bother to do" vs "bother doing"

[Nessie]

Hi,
I remember asking this question, but I've forgot the answer and can find no where, so I must asked again (I'm terribly sorry!):

Does "bother to do something" and "bother doing something" mean the same?
(I think they do)

Many thanks
Nessie.
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[Lost_Soul]

An answer was given in this thread for example:

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic20550.html#67385

[Alan]

Hi Nessie,

Apart from the reference above for which, Alex, thank you I would add, Nessie that you would use this 'ing' / infinitive choice with a negative construction. 'Bother' in a positive sense would usually attract the infinitive only as in: I appreciated that she bothered to come and see us although she was very busy.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Nessie]

Thanks, Alex. I've read it but I'm still not very clear about "general use" vs "specific use". I think you've got Alan's point, so could you please give me an example to distinguish them? - Thank you in advance.

By the way, are the two usages always fundamentally the same? Or just in some cases?
Many thanks once again.
Nessie.
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[Lost_Soul]

[Nessie]

[Alan]

Hi,

Just me showing off! It means 'is followed by'.

Alan
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[Nessie]

Oh yea, I get what you mean now, Alan
So "bother" is never followed by a gerund when it has a positive meaning?
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[Alan]

Hi,

In a word, yes.

Alan
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[MrPedantic]

[Nessie]

Hi,
Another query has arisen in my mind: does the same rule work for "a chance to V" and "a chance of + gerund"?

A chance to do something: positive meaning
i.e: a chance to visit the UK, a change to win the contest, a chance to pass the exam

A chance of doing something: negative meaning
=> sorry I can't think of any examples for this +_+

This sounds a bit odd as I think "chance" often only refer to positive meanings...
But if not, how can we distinguish between the two usages?

Many thanks
Nessie.
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nessie,

"To have a chance to do/of doing X" does usually have a positive meaning; in BrE, I don't think there's a great difference between the two forms.

On the other hand, there is a difference in "to have no chance to do/of doing X".

Here are some random examples:

1a. There might be a chance of persuading her.
1b. There might be a chance to persuade her.
— Very little difference. Perhaps with the infinitive, the action is presented as a whole; whereas with the gerund, it's presented as if it were in progress.

2a. I had no chance of making them listen.
— i.e. it would not have been possible for me to make them listen.
2b. I had no chance to make them listen.
— i.e. I had no opportunity to make them listen.

3a. It was the first chance I'd had of reading her letter.
3b. It was the first chance I'd had to read her letter.
— as 1a/1b.

4a. If you don't bet, you have no chance of winning.
4b. If you don't bet, you have no chance to win.
— as 2a/2b.

5a. I never had a chance to play football professionally.
5b. I never had a chance of playing football professionally.
— as 1a/1b.

6a. Argentina is a country where a fellow has a chance to make good.
6b. Argentina is a country where a fellow has a chance of making good.
— as 1a/1b.

7a. "He writes beautifully," said Catherine, who was very glad of a chance to say it.
7b. "He writes beautifully," said Catherine, who was very glad of a chance of saying it.
— as 1a/1b.

8a. Give Bridget a chance to explain.
8b. Give Bridget a chance of explaining.
— as 1a/1b.

9a. We arrived a day early, so that we would have a chance of exploring the city.
9b. We arrived a day early, so that we would have a chance to explore the city.
— as 1a/1b.

Other member may disagree, of course!

Best wishes,

MrP

[Nessie]

[MrPedantic]

Hello Nessie,

"To make good" is to improve your financial circumstances considerably; probably by doing business in some way.

Best wishes,

MrP

[Nessie]

This may sound a bit... odd but do people say "To make rich"?
(They say so in Vietnamese )
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...