Use of the 'el' with infinitive as noun

Question

hi the lesson seems to say that use of infinitive with or without the 'el' are equally correct, but in the Micrquiz Q2, 'wake up to ...' if I answer without the 'el' its marked wrong.  Is there then more subtlety to this topic than is in the lesson, if so maybe the lesson needs deepening a bit?  Robin

Answer

Hi Robin,
there is a hint for that question saying "Verb cantar has been converted to a noun", which is the clue to avoid the article "el". There is a note inside the lesson about this, saying:
"However, there are certain infinitives that can been converted to nouns and these can take both the singular and the plural article (el/los)."
"It is not correct to omit the articles."
I hope this helped.
Inma

Answer

Thanks Inma.  Surely you mean. 'the clue to USE the 'el'.  In the lesson, it looks as if the 'its not correct to omit the el' just applies to the two examples you gave (Ir and amanecer) - because we've just been told that using the 'el' is optional, with or without both correct.  THis use of infinitive is /always/ noun-like.   This lesson is not clear.

Answer

Looking at the confusion above,
would it be correct to say that Infinitive + el is always correect, but there are some cases where a different form,  the infinitive by itself, is allowed? The clue for English speakers might be it's okay WHEN it also makes lliteral sense in English?  For example:
"Me gustaría despertarme con EL CANTAR de los pájaros" - (...wake up with the singing of the birds)- makes sense, but
"Me gustaría despertarme con cantar de los pájaros" - (...wake up with TO SING of the birds) does not.
where as
"EL beber en exceso..." - Drinking in excess is dangerous OR
"BEBER en exceso..."- (English) To drink in excess is dangerous - both work so in THAT TYPE of situation there are two DIFFERENT  options- 
1) Using the form ínfinitive + definite article 'el', or
2) (When makes sense) , using just the infinitive.