To Admire vs Admiring Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To admire (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to admire" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I want to admire the beautiful artwork in the museum.

Admiring (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "admiring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Admiring is a way to express admiration for someone.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To admire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To admire is a sign of appreciation for someone's achievements.

  To admire is a sign of appreciation for someone's achievements.

  • "*To admire*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of appreciation for someone's achievements).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to admire her new painting.

  She wants me to admire her new painting.

  • "Me *to admire* her new painting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to admire* her new painting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a magnifying glass to admire the intricate details of the sculpture.

  I need a magnifying glass to admire the intricate details of the sculpture.

  • "*To admire* the intricate details of the sculpture" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to admire* the intricate details of the sculpture).

Admiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Admiring shows that you appreciate someone's qualities.

  Admiring shows that you appreciate someone's qualities.

  • "*Admiring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (shows) + noun phrase (that you appreciate someone's qualities).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy admiring the sunset at the beach.

  I enjoy admiring the sunset at the beach.

  • "*Admiring* the sunset at the beach" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*admiring* the sunset at the beach).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for admiring works of art.

  She has a passion for admiring works of art.

  • "For *admiring* works of art" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *admiring* works of art).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to admire the sunset from the mountaintop tomorrow.

They hope to admire the famous landmarks during their trip.

He wants to admire the beautiful architecture of the building.

We decided to admire the art exhibition this weekend.

They agreed to admire the natural beauty of the national park together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys admiring nature in her free time.

They recommend admiring the architecture of the old city.

I dislike the idea of admiring someone without knowing their true character.

He avoids admiring people who lack integrity.

Can you imagine yourself admiring the beauty of the night sky?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to admire the artwork in the gallery. She likes admiring the artwork in the gallery.

We started to admire classical music. We started admiring classical music.

He began to admire the talent of young artists. He began admiring the talent of young artists.