difference between happy -ing and happy to

lucky   Sunday, May 23, 2004, 16:04 GMT
what's difference between them?

generally I hear most people say 'I'm happy(or glad) to ...' as in 'glad to see you'
but sometimes I hear 'I'm happy(or glad) ...ing' as in 'I'm happy teaching you' on TV


I'm happy to teach you
I'm happy teaching you

any considerable difference?
or.. any subtle difference?



please let me know

thanx in advance :)
Mighty Mick   Thursday, May 27, 2004, 08:26 GMT
"I'm happy to teach you" sounds like more of a generisation than "I'm happy teaching you" which sounds more immediate. Most people wouldn't blink if you used either in most situations, so the subtlety is barely noticeable.
So generally, verbs with "ing" endings refer to things happening right now.

I'm happy teaching you at this point in time :)
Andrew   Thursday, May 27, 2004, 12:47 GMT
"I'm happy teaching you" sounds like you're literally happy only when teaching. Which is sweet, but probably not what you mean. Say "I'm happy to teach you."
lucky   Friday, May 28, 2004, 15:51 GMT
thanks very much you two :)