To Blend vs Blending 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 blend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to blend the ingredients together to make a smoothie.

Blending (Gerund)

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

Example

Blending different flavors creates a unique taste.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To blend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To blend is essential for making a creamy sauce.

  To blend is essential for making a creamy sauce.

  • "*To blend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for making a creamy sauce).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to blend the colors for the painting.

  She wants me to blend the colors for the painting.

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

  I need a blender to blend the ingredients.

  I need a blender to blend the ingredients.

  • "*To blend* the ingredients" modifies the noun "blender."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a blender *to blend* the ingredients).

Blending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Blending fruits and vegetables is good for your health.

  Blending fruits and vegetables is good for your health.

  • "*Blending* fruits and vegetables" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (good for your health).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy blending different spices in my cooking.

  I enjoy blending different spices in my cooking.

  • "*Blending* different spices in my cooking" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*blending* different spices in my cooking).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for blending colors in her artwork.

  She has a talent for blending colors in her artwork.

  • "For *blending* colors in her artwork" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *blending* colors in her artwork).

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 blend the fruits and vegetables in the morning.

They hope to blend the spices perfectly for the recipe.

He wants to blend the mixture until it's smooth.

We decided to blend the ingredients for the cake batter.

They agreed to blend the colors to create a new shade.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys blending different fruits for smoothies.

They recommend blending fresh ingredients for better flavor.

I dislike the idea of blending sweet and savory flavors.

He avoids blending certain ingredients due to allergies.

Can you imagine yourself blending exotic spices in your cooking?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to blend different types of coffee beans. She likes blending different types of coffee beans.

We started to blend our own protein shakes. We started blending our own protein shakes.

He began to blend his own smoothies at home. He began blending his own smoothies at home.