When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To advise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to advise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to advise him on his career choices.
Advising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "advising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Advising others can be fulfilling and rewarding.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To advise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To advise is a noble profession.
To advise is a noble profession.
- "*To advise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a noble profession).
- 2Object
She wants me to advise her on the project.
She wants me to advise her on the project.
- "Me *to advise* her on the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to advise* her on the project).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a mentor to advise him.
He needs a mentor to advise him.
- "*To advise* him" modifies the noun "mentor."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a mentor *to advise* him).
Advising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Advising is an important part of being a teacher.
Advising is an important part of being a teacher.
- "*Advising*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of being a teacher).
- 2Object
I enjoy advising students on their career paths.
I enjoy advising students on their career paths.
- "*Advising* students on their career paths" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*advising* students on their career paths).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for advising others.
She has a talent for advising others.
- "For *advising* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *advising* others).
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
Example
They hope to advise the committee on the issue.
We decided to advise our clients to invest in stocks.
She wants to advise him on his business strategy.
He plans to advise the team on their training program.
They determined to advise the government on environmental policies.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend seeking professional help when advising others.
He enjoys advising his friends on personal matters.
She is considering advising her clients to diversify their investments.
They avoid advising without proper knowledge and expertise.
Can you imagine yourself advising world leaders on important issues?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to advise you on your next steps. I would like advising you on your next steps.
He began to advise clients on financial planning. He began advising clients on financial planning.
They helped me to advise the team on their strategy. They helped me advising the team on their strategy.
