When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bestow (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bestow" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The king decided to bestow a knighthood upon him.
Bestowing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "bestowing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Bestowing awards is a way to recognize achievement.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bestow (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bestow such an honor is a great responsibility.
To bestow such an honor is a great responsibility.
- "*To bestow* such an honor" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (such an honor).
- 2Object
She wants him to bestow his blessings upon her.
She wants him to bestow his blessings upon her.
- "Him *to bestow* his blessings upon her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to bestow* his blessings upon her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a title to bestow upon the winner.
He needs a title to bestow upon the winner.
- "*To bestow* upon the winner" modifies the noun "title."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a title *to bestow* upon the winner).
Bestowing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Bestowing recognition motivates employees to perform better.
Bestowing recognition motivates employees to perform better.
- "*Bestowing* recognition" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (motivates) + noun phrase (employees).
- 2Object
She enjoys bestowing gifts on others.
She enjoys bestowing gifts on others.
- "*Bestowing* gifts on others" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*bestowing* gifts on others).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for bestowing blessings.
He has a talent for bestowing blessings.
- "For *bestowing* blessings" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bestowing* blessings).
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 plan to bestow a scholarship on the deserving student.
I hope to bestow my knowledge upon future generations.
We want to bestow a special award on the outstanding employee.
She decided to bestow a grant for the research project.
They agreed to bestow the prestigious title on him.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy bestowing scholarships on deserving students.
Experts recommend bestowing recognition for outstanding contributions.
We consider bestowing this honor on the distinguished guest.
He avoids bestowing unnecessary praise on mediocre performances.
Can you imagine bestowing such a prestigious award on him?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to bestow blessings upon others. She likes bestowing blessings upon others.
They started to bestow their wealth on charitable causes. They started bestowing their wealth on charitable causes.
He began to bestow his wisdom upon the young generation. He began bestowing his wisdom upon the young generation.
