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To Beg vs Begging 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 beg (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to beg for forgiveness.

Begging (Gerund)

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

Example

Begging is a common sight in impoverished areas.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To beg (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To beg is a desperate act.

    To beg is a desperate act.

    • "*To beg*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a desperate act).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to beg for her help.

    She wants me to beg for her help.

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

    I need money to beg on the streets.

    I need money to beg on the streets.

    • "*To beg* on the streets" modifies the noun "money."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (money *to beg* on the streets).

Begging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Begging is a difficult way to make a living.

    Begging is a difficult way to make a living.

    • "*Begging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult way to make a living).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy begging for charity donations.

    I enjoy begging for charity donations.

    • "*Begging* for charity donations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*begging* for charity donations).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of begging on the streets.

    She has a fear of begging on the streets.

    • "Of *begging* on the streets" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *begging* on the streets).

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 beg for mercy in court.

He wants to beg for a second chance.

We decided to beg for help from our neighbors.

She attempted to beg for food at the restaurant.

He pretended to beg for money on the street.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids begging for money in public.

They recommend against begging for help.

Can you imagine yourself begging for food?

I am considering begging for donations for my charity.

Do you mind begging for change at the market?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to beg for forgiveness. She likes begging for forgiveness.

We started to beg for food. We started begging for food.

He began to beg on the streets. He began begging on the streets.

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