To Dain vs Daining 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 dain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dain a fancy outfit for the party.

Daining (Gerund)

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

Example

Daining is a way to express gratitude.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dain is a sign of respect in some cultures.

  To dain is a sign of respect in some cultures.

  • "*To dain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of respect in some cultures).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to dain a traditional attire.

  She wants me to dain a traditional attire.

  • "Me *to dain* a traditional attire" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dain* a traditional attire).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a special occasion to dain my new dress.

  I need a special occasion to dain my new dress.

  • "*To dain* my new dress" modifies the noun "special occasion."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a special occasion *to dain* my new dress).

Daining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Daining is an important part of many religious ceremonies.

  Daining is an important part of many religious ceremonies.

  • "*Daining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of many religious ceremonies).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy daining delicious meals for my loved ones.

  I enjoy daining delicious meals for my loved ones.

  • "*Daining* delicious meals for my loved ones" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*daining* delicious meals for my loved ones).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for daining in fine dining restaurants.

  She has a passion for daining in fine dining restaurants.

  • "For *daining* in fine dining restaurants" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *daining* in fine dining restaurants).

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 dain a luxurious gown for the event.

They hope to dain elegant jewelry on their anniversary.

He wants to dain a crown for the ceremony.

We decided to dain formal attire for the gala.

They agreed to dain matching outfits for the photoshoot.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys daining at fancy restaurants every weekend.

They recommend trying out different cuisines and daining experiences.

I dislike the idea of daining alone in public places.

He avoids daining spicy food due to his sensitive stomach.

Can you imagine yourself daining at a Michelin-starred restaurant?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to dain in extravagant outfits. She likes daining in extravagant outfits.

We started to dain together as a family tradition. We started daining together as a family tradition.

He began to dain professionally for special events. He began daining professionally for special events.