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To Delight vs Delighting Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To delight (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to delight my guests with a delicious meal.

Delighting (Gerund)

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

Example

Delighting others brings me joy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To delight (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To delight is the goal of every entertainer.

    To delight is the goal of every entertainer.

    • "*To delight*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every entertainer).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to delight her with my singing.

    She wants me to delight her with my singing.

    • "Me *to delight* her with my singing" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to delight* her with my singing).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a special recipe to delight his customers.

    He needs a special recipe to delight his customers.

    • "*To delight* his customers" modifies the noun "recipe."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a special recipe *to delight* his customers).

Delighting (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Delighting people is my passion.

    Delighting people is my passion.

    • "*Delighting*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my passion).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy delighting my friends with homemade gifts.

    I enjoy delighting my friends with homemade gifts.

    • "*Delighting* my friends with homemade gifts" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*delighting* my friends with homemade gifts).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for delighting audiences.

    She has a talent for delighting audiences.

    • "For *delighting* audiences" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *delighting* audiences).

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 delight their guests with a surprise performance.

I hope to delight the audience with my acting skills.

We want to delight our customers with exceptional service.

He decided to delight his family with a home-cooked meal.

They agreed to delight the crowd with their dance routine.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys delighting people with his magic tricks.

They recommend delighting yourself with a good book.

She dislikes the idea of delighting others for personal gain.

I avoid delighting in other people's misfortune.

Can you imagine delighting your loved ones with a surprise party?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to delight their customers with unique products. They like delighting their customers with unique products.

He started to delight his guests with live music. He started delighting his guests with live music.

We began to delight our clients with personalized services. We began delighting our clients with personalized services.

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