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To Afford vs Affording Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

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 vacation 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 luxury car requires a high income.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To afford (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To afford a new car requires saving money.

    To afford a new car requires saving money.

    • "*To afford* a new car" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (saving money).
  • 2Object

    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).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a higher paying job to afford a bigger house.

    He needs a higher paying job to afford a bigger house.

    • "A higher paying job *to afford* a bigger house" modifies the noun "job."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a higher paying job *to afford* a bigger house).

Affording (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Affording a luxurious lifestyle is important to him.

    Affording a luxurious lifestyle is important to him.

    • "*Affording* a luxurious lifestyle" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important to him).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy affording myself a nice dinner once in a while.

    I enjoy affording myself a nice dinner once in a while.

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

    She has a knack for affording luxury vacations.

    She has a knack for affording luxury vacations.

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

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 plan to afford a luxury vacation next year.

I wish to afford a trip around the world.

She wants to afford a designer handbag.

He decided to afford a better lifestyle.

We determined to afford a comfortable retirement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys affording himself expensive hobbies.

They recommend affording yourself some leisure time.

I avoid affording unnecessary expenses.

She is considering affording a new house.

Can you imagine affording a private jet?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I would like to afford a luxury vacation. I would like affording a luxury vacation.

They started to afford a comfortable retirement. They started affording a comfortable retirement.

He began to afford expensive hobbies. He began affording expensive hobbies.

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