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 dish.

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 flavors can result in unique taste combinations.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To combine (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To combine different flavors is a skill in cooking.

  To combine different flavors is a skill in cooking.

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

  She wants me to combine the colors for the painting.

  She wants me to combine the colors for the painting.

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

  I need a blender to combine the ingredients smoothly.

  I need a blender to combine the ingredients smoothly.

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

Combining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Combining different ingredients is essential in baking.

  Combining different ingredients is essential in baking.

  • "*Combining* different ingredients" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in baking).
• 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 different techniques in her artwork.

They hope to combine their skills to create a successful business.

He wants to combine different styles in his fashion design.

We decided to combine our resources for the project.

They agreed to combine their efforts to achieve the goal.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys combining different ingredients in her recipes.

They recommend combining various exercises for a well-rounded workout.

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

He avoids combining certain flavors in his cooking.

Can you imagine combining unexpected elements in your design?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to combine different patterns in her sewing projects. She likes combining different patterns in her sewing projects.

We started to combine our resources for the charity event. We started combining our resources for the charity event.

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