To Combine vs Combining 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 combine (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to combine the ingredients to make a delicious meal.

Combining (Gerund)

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

Example

Combining different ingredients can result in surprising flavors.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To combine (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To combine different flavors is an art.

  To combine different flavors is an art.

  • "*To combine* different flavors" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an art).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to combine the colors for her painting.

  She wants me to combine the colors for her painting.

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

  I need a bowl to combine the ingredients.

  I need a bowl to combine the ingredients.

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

Combining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Combining different spices is essential in cooking.

  Combining different spices is essential in cooking.

  • "*Combining* different spices" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in cooking).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy combining colors in my artwork.

  I enjoy combining colors in my artwork.

  • "*Combining* colors in my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*combining* colors in my artwork).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for combining different textures.

  She has a passion for combining different textures.

  • "For *combining* different textures" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *combining* different textures).

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 combine the elements to create a unique design.

They hope to combine their skills for a successful project.

He wants to combine the two flavors for a new recipe.

We decided to combine our efforts to achieve the goal.

They agreed to combine their resources for a joint venture.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys combining ingredients to create new recipes.

They recommend combining different exercises for a balanced workout routine.

I dislike the idea of combining contrasting colors in my outfit.

He avoids combining certain ingredients due to allergies.

Can you imagine combining unexpected ingredients in a dish?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to combine different flavors in her cooking. She likes combining different flavors in her cooking.

We started to combine our talents for a collaborative project. We started combining our talents for a collaborative project.

He began to combine different ingredients for his signature dish. He began combining different ingredients for his signature dish.