To Afford vs Affording 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 afford (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to afford a new car next year.

Affording (Gerund)

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

Example

Affording a new car requires careful saving.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To afford (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To afford a luxury vacation requires careful budgeting.

  To afford a luxury vacation requires careful budgeting.

  • "*To afford*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful budgeting).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to afford the latest smartphone.

  She wants me to afford the latest smartphone.

  • "Me *to afford* the latest smartphone" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to afford* the latest smartphone).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a well-paying job to afford his dream house.

  He needs a well-paying job to afford his dream house.

  • "*To afford* his dream house" modifies the noun "job."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a well-paying job *to afford* his dream house).

Affording (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Affording a luxury vacation is a challenge for many people.

  Affording a luxury vacation is a challenge for many people.

  • "*Affording*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenge for many people).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy affording myself a treat once in a while.

  I enjoy affording myself a treat once in a while.

  • "*Affording* myself a treat once in a while" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*affording* myself a treat once in a while).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for affording luxurious experiences.

  She has a knack for affording luxurious experiences.

  • "For *affording* luxurious experiences" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *affording* luxurious experiences).

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
• want
• choose
• determine
• manage

Example

They plan to afford a trip around the world.

I want to afford a designer handbag.

She chose to afford a better lifestyle.

We determined to afford a comfortable retirement.

He managed to afford a luxury vacation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy affording themselves extravagant vacations.

I recommend affording some leisure time every day.

She is considering affording a personal trainer.

He avoids affording unnecessary expenses.

Can you imagine affording a private jet?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to afford luxury items. I like affording luxury items.

We began to afford vacations abroad. We began affording vacations abroad.

He continues to afford a lavish lifestyle. He continues affording a lavish lifestyle.