To Air vs Airing 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 air (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to air my grievances with the management.

Airing (Gerund)

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

Example

Airing your grievances can lead to resolution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To air (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To air your thoughts is important for effective communication.

  To air your thoughts is important for effective communication.

  • "*To air* your thoughts" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to air my concerns at the meeting.

  She wants me to air my concerns at the meeting.

  • "Me *to air* my concerns at the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to air* my concerns at the meeting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a platform to air our grievances.

  We need a platform to air our grievances.

  • "*To air* our grievances" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to air* our grievances).

Airing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Airing your thoughts is essential for effective communication.

  Airing your thoughts is essential for effective communication.

  • "*Airing* your thoughts" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy airing my concerns in a constructive manner.

  I enjoy airing my concerns in a constructive manner.

  • "*Airing* my concerns in a constructive manner" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*airing* my concerns in a constructive manner).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for airing his grievances.

  He has a passion for airing his grievances.

  • "For *airing* his grievances" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *airing* his grievances).

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

• decide
• demand
• attempt
• wish
• plan

Example

They decided to air their opinions during the conference.

He demanded to air his side of the story in front of everyone.

She attempted to air her concerns to the management.

We wish to air our grievances at the town hall meeting.

I plan to air my frustrations in the upcoming meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They avoid airing their complaints in public.

I recommend airing your grievances through proper channels.

She considered airing her opinions on social media.

He doesn't mind airing his grievances in front of others.

Can you imagine airing your grievances in a public forum?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to air their views in public. They like airing their views in public.

We started to air our concerns at the meeting. We started airing our concerns at the meeting.

She began to air her grievances openly. She began airing her grievances openly.