apply to + Ving or + infinity?

[CuocVui]

Hi all,

I am confused with the usage of "apply". For example, which one
following is correct?

1. The director applies this idea to making the movie.

2. The director applies this idea to make the movie.

Thanks,

[White Spirit]

CuocVui wrote:

> Hi all,

Both are correct, although semantically different. 'Making' is a gerund
in (1) and the sense conveyed is that the idea is being applied to the
act or the process of making the film. In (2), the sense being conveyed
is that the idea is being applied as an act of necessity.

Stylistically, I would replace (2) with 'The director applies this idea
in order to make the film/movie'.