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To Aspire vs Aspiring 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 aspire (Infinitive)

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

Example

I aspire to become a successful writer.

Aspiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Aspiring to greatness requires dedication and hard work.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To aspire (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To aspire is a natural human tendency.

    To aspire is a natural human tendency.

    • "*To aspire*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural human tendency).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to aspire for greatness.

    She wants me to aspire for greatness.

    • "Me *to aspire* for greatness" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to aspire* for greatness).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a role model to aspire to.

    I need a role model to aspire to.

    • "*To aspire* to" modifies the noun "role model."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a role model *to aspire* to).

Aspiring (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Aspiring is the first step towards achieving success.

    Aspiring is the first step towards achieving success.

    • "*Aspiring*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step towards achieving success).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy aspiring to new heights in my career.

    I enjoy aspiring to new heights in my career.

    • "*Aspiring* to new heights in my career" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*aspiring* to new heights in my career).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for aspiring to greatness.

    She has a passion for aspiring to greatness.

    • "For *aspiring* to greatness" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *aspiring* to greatness).

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 hope to aspire for a better future.

He wants to aspire to be a leader.

We decided to aspire for excellence in our work.

She chose to aspire to be an artist.

He determined to aspire to make a difference in the world.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys aspiring to be a successful entrepreneur.

They recommend aspiring to be the best version of yourself.

He avoids aspiring to mediocrity.

Can you imagine yourself aspiring to achieve your dreams?

I don't mind aspiring to higher goals.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to aspire for greatness. She likes aspiring for greatness.

We started to aspire for success. We started aspiring for success.

He began to aspire to become a professional athlete. He began aspiring to become a professional athlete.

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