When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To contribute (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to contribute" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to contribute to the community by volunteering.
Contributing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "contributing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Contributing to charity organizations can make a difference in people's lives.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To contribute (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To contribute is important for the success of any project.
To contribute is important for the success of any project.
- "*To contribute*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for the success of any project).
- 2Object
She wants me to contribute to the charity event.
She wants me to contribute to the charity event.
- "Me *to contribute* to the charity event" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to contribute* to the charity event).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a platform to contribute my ideas.
I need a platform to contribute my ideas.
- "*To contribute* my ideas" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to contribute* my ideas).
Contributing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Contributing is a selfless act that brings joy to others.
Contributing is a selfless act that brings joy to others.
- "*Contributing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a selfless act that brings joy to others).
- 2Object
I enjoy contributing to community projects.
I enjoy contributing to community projects.
- "*Contributing* to community projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*contributing* to community projects).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a passion for contributing to environmental conservation.
They have a passion for contributing to environmental conservation.
- "For *contributing* to environmental conservation" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *contributing* to environmental conservation).
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 contribute to the fundraiser next month.
We hope to contribute to the success of the team.
He wants to contribute his expertise to the project.
She decided to contribute her time to the organization.
They agreed to contribute financially to the cause.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys contributing his time to helping others.
I recommend contributing to local charities for a positive impact.
She dislikes the idea of contributing to a corrupt organization.
They avoid contributing to causes they don't believe in.
Can you imagine yourself contributing to a humanitarian mission?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
We like to contribute our skills to worthy causes. We like contributing our skills to worthy causes.
He started to contribute to the community garden. He started contributing to the community garden.
She began to contribute regularly to the homeless shelter. She began contributing regularly to the homeless shelter.
