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To Befriend vs Befriending 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 befriend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to befriend new people and expand my social circle.

Befriending (Gerund)

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

Example

Befriending others can lead to meaningful connections.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To befriend (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To befriend someone is an act of kindness.

    To befriend someone is an act of kindness.

    • "*To befriend* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an act of kindness).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to befriend her coworkers.

    She wants me to befriend her coworkers.

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

    I need a friendly person to befriend my lonely neighbor.

    I need a friendly person to befriend my lonely neighbor.

    • "*To befriend* my lonely neighbor" modifies the noun "person."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a friendly person *to befriend* my lonely neighbor).

Befriending (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Befriending people is important for personal growth.

    Befriending people is important for personal growth.

    • "*Befriending* people" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for personal growth).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy befriending new colleagues at work.

    I enjoy befriending new colleagues at work.

    • "*Befriending* new colleagues at work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*befriending* new colleagues at work).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for befriending animals.

    She has a talent for befriending animals.

    • "For *befriending* animals" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *befriending* animals).

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 befriend their new classmates at school.

We decided to befriend our new neighbors in the apartment building.

He attempted to befriend his shy coworker.

She chose to befriend the new student in her class.

I learned to befriend people from different cultures during my travels.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys befriending people with similar interests.

They recommend befriending colleagues in order to build a professional network.

I am considering befriending my new neighbor.

She avoids befriending people who are negative and toxic.

Can you understand the importance of befriending others?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to befriend strangers and learn about their lives. She likes befriending strangers and learning about their lives.

We started to befriend our coworkers to create a supportive work environment. We started befriending our coworkers to create a supportive work environment.

He began to befriend his classmates and became popular among them. He began befriending his classmates and became popular among them.

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