To Carve vs Carving 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 carve (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to carve a pumpkin for Halloween.

Carving (Gerund)

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

Example

Carving is a traditional form of art.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To carve (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To carve is a skill that requires practice.

  To carve is a skill that requires practice.

  • "*To carve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a skill that requires practice).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to carve a wooden sculpture for her.

  She wants me to carve a wooden sculpture for her.

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

  I need a sharp knife to carve the turkey.

  I need a sharp knife to carve the turkey.

  • "*To carve* the turkey" modifies the noun "knife."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sharp knife *to carve* the turkey).

Carving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Carving requires precision and patience.

  Carving requires precision and patience.

  • "*Carving*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and patience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy carving intricate designs on wood.

  I enjoy carving intricate designs on wood.

  • "*Carving* intricate designs on wood" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*carving* intricate designs on wood).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for carving sculptures out of stone.

  She has a talent for carving sculptures out of stone.

  • "For *carving* sculptures out of stone" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *carving* sculptures out of stone).

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 carve a beautiful design on the pumpkin.

They hope to carve intricate patterns on the woodwork.

He wants to carve his initials on the tree trunk.

We decided to carve our names on the rock.

They agreed to carve their initials on the bench together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys carving pumpkins during Halloween.

They recommend learning the art of carving from experienced artists.

I dislike the idea of carving ice sculptures in freezing temperatures.

He avoids carving delicate materials to prevent accidents.

Can you imagine yourself carving intricate patterns on wood?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to carve intricate designs on soap. She likes carving intricate designs on soap.

We started to carve our names on the tree trunks. We started carving our names on the tree trunks.

He began to carve wooden figurines as a hobby. He began carving wooden figurines as a hobby.