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To Align vs Aligning 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 align (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to align the text with the center of the page.

Aligning (Gerund)

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

Example

Aligning the text is an important step in formatting the document.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To align (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To align the pictures correctly requires precision.

    To align the pictures correctly requires precision.

    • "*To align* the pictures correctly" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to align the paragraphs in the document.

    She wants me to align the paragraphs in the document.

    • "Me *to align* the paragraphs in the document" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to align* the paragraphs in the document).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a ruler to align the edges of the paper.

    We need a ruler to align the edges of the paper.

    • "*To align* the edges of the paper" modifies the noun "ruler."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ruler *to align* the edges of the paper).

Aligning (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Aligning the paragraphs enhances readability.

    Aligning the paragraphs enhances readability.

    • "*Aligning* the paragraphs" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (enhances) + noun phrase (readability).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy aligning the images in my graphic design projects.

    I enjoy aligning the images in my graphic design projects.

    • "*Aligning* the images in my graphic design projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*aligning* the images in my graphic design projects).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a talent for aligning objects with precision.

    He has a talent for aligning objects with precision.

    • "For *aligning* objects with precision" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *aligning* objects with precision).

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

He plans to align the columns in the spreadsheet tomorrow.

They hope to align the text properly before printing.

She wants to align the images with the text.

We decided to align the paragraphs to create a clean layout.

They agreed to align the elements on the page for consistency.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys aligning the text in different styles.

They recommend aligning the images with the margins.

I avoid aligning the text manually, it takes too long.

Can you imagine aligning all the elements on the page without any tools?

Do you mind aligning the text to the left?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to align the elements in a grid layout. They like aligning the elements in a grid layout.

I started to align the text from the right. I started aligning the text from the right.

We began to align the columns for better readability. We began aligning the columns for better readability.

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