To Alter vs Altering 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 alter (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to alter my dress for the party tonight.

Altering (Gerund)

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

Example

Altering the recipe can change the taste of the dish.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To alter (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To alter is a skill that every tailor should possess.

  To alter is a skill that every tailor should possess.

  • "*To alter*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a skill that every tailor should possess).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to alter her wedding gown.

  She wants me to alter her wedding gown.

  • "Me *to alter* her wedding gown" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to alter* her wedding gown).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a sewing machine to alter my clothes.

  I need a sewing machine to alter my clothes.

  • "*To alter* my clothes" modifies the noun "sewing machine."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sewing machine *to alter* my clothes).

Altering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Altering your mindset can lead to personal growth.

  Altering your mindset can lead to personal growth.

  • "*Altering* your mindset" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy altering my clothes to fit perfectly.

  I enjoy altering my clothes to fit perfectly.

  • "*Altering* my clothes to fit perfectly" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*altering* my clothes to fit perfectly).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for altering old furniture.

  She has a passion for altering old furniture.

  • "For *altering* old furniture" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *altering* old furniture).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to alter the design of the dress tomorrow.

They hope to alter their appearance through fashion.

He wants to alter his hairstyle for a fresh look.

We decided to alter the color scheme of the room.

They agreed to alter the menu for dietary restrictions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys altering the layout of her garden.

They recommend regularly altering your exercise routine.

I dislike the idea of altering my natural features.

He avoids altering the original artwork.

Can you imagine yourself altering your career path?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to alter the lyrics of songs. She likes altering the lyrics of songs.

We started to alter our daily routine. We started altering our daily routine.

He began to alter his eating habits. He began altering his eating habits.