When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To allow (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to allow" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
They allow me to swim in the pool.
Allowing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "allowing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Allowing me to swim in the pool is very kind of them.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To allow (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To allow someone to swim is a generous gesture.
To allow someone to swim is a generous gesture.
- "*To allow* someone *to swim*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a generous gesture).
- 2Object
I want them to allow me to swim in the race.
I want them to allow me to swim in the race.
- "Them *to allow* me *to swim* in the race" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (I) + verb (want) + noun phrase (them *to allow* me *to swim* in the race).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a pool to allow him to swim laps.
He needs a pool to allow him to swim laps.
- "*To allow* him *to swim* laps" modifies the noun "pool."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a pool *to allow* him *to swim* laps).
Allowing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Allowing someone to swim is a generous gesture.
Allowing someone to swim is a generous gesture.
- "*Allowing* someone *to swim*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a generous gesture).
- 2Object
I enjoy allowing my friends to swim in my pool.
I enjoy allowing my friends to swim in my pool.
- "*Allowing* my friends *to swim* in my pool" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*allowing* my friends *to swim* in my pool).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for allowing others to swim in her private lake.
She has a passion for allowing others to swim in her private lake.
- "For *allowing* others *to swim* in her private lake" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *allowing* others *to swim* in her private lake).
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
She plans to allow us to swim in the lake tomorrow.
They hope to allow everyone to swim with dolphins during their vacation.
He wants to allow me to swim in the open water.
We decided to allow them to swim at the beach this weekend.
They agreed to allow us to swim in the race together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys allowing her guests to swim in the pool every evening.
They recommend allowing children to swim for better physical development.
I dislike the idea of allowing pets to swim in the pool.
He avoids allowing strangers to swim in his backyard.
Can you imagine allowing yourself to swim with dolphins?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to allow her kids to swim in the ocean. She likes allowing her kids to swim in the ocean.
We started to allow members to swim competitively. We started allowing members to swim competitively.
He began to allow people to swim every morning. He began allowing people to swim every morning.
