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 project to make a difference.
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 the team effort is crucial for success.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To contribute (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To contribute is essential for the success of the team.
To contribute is essential for the success of the team.
- "*To contribute*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for the success of the team).
- 2Object
She wants me to contribute my ideas to the discussion.
She wants me to contribute my ideas to the discussion.
- "Me *to contribute* my ideas to the discussion" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to contribute* my ideas to the discussion).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a platform to contribute my skills and knowledge.
I need a platform to contribute my skills and knowledge.
- "*To contribute* my skills and knowledge" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to contribute* my skills and knowledge).
Contributing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Contributing helps build a strong sense of camaraderie among team members.
Contributing helps build a strong sense of camaraderie among team members.
- "*Contributing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (build a strong sense of camaraderie among team members).
- 2Object
I enjoy contributing to charitable organizations.
I enjoy contributing to charitable organizations.
- "*Contributing* to charitable organizations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*contributing* to charitable organizations).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for contributing to environmental causes.
She has a passion for contributing to environmental causes.
- "For *contributing* to environmental causes" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *contributing* to environmental causes).
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
She plans to contribute to the charity event next month.
They hope to contribute to the community through volunteer work.
He wants to contribute his expertise to the project.
We decided to contribute financially to the cause.
They agreed to contribute their time and effort to the initiative.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys contributing her time to local community projects.
They recommend regular contributing to charitable causes for personal growth.
He avoids contributing to negative conversations or gossip.
Can you imagine yourself contributing to a global humanitarian effort?
We are considering contributing to the development of educational programs.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to contribute to the team's success. She likes contributing to the team's success.
We started to contribute our time to local charities. We started contributing our time to local charities.
He began to contribute regularly to environmental causes. He began contributing regularly to environmental causes.
