It may be important to "addressing" a particular social issue. Why use addressing instead of address in this situation after "to"?

arctic_wolves

It might be important to "address" a particular social issue says that the importance lies in whether one should address the issue, whereas, it may be important to "addressing" the issue is stating that the importance may lie in the actual act of addressing the issue. Sep 18 06, 12:31 PM

lanfranco

The context matters a great deal. If the pronoun "It" refers back to something that is needed to deal with the "issue," then the gerund "addressing" is acceptable -- as in "This report may be important to addressing the situation." If, however, you are simply saying, "We may find that we have to do something about this issue," then the infinitive "to address" is appropriate. But, ucla, I have to admit that I'm not entirely clear on what you're talking about. Sep 18 06, 4:12 PM