To Delve vs Delving 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 delve (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to delve deeper into the subject to understand it better.

Delving (Gerund)

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

Example

Delving into the past can provide valuable insights.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To delve (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To delve requires patience and curiosity.

  To delve requires patience and curiosity.

  • "*To delve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and curiosity).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to delve into the details of the project.

  She wants me to delve into the details of the project.

  • "Me *to delve* into the details of the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to delve* into the details of the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a comprehensive guide to delve into the topic.

  I need a comprehensive guide to delve into the topic.

  • "*To delve* into the topic" modifies the noun "guide."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comprehensive guide *to delve* into the topic).

Delving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Delving into different cultures is a fascinating experience.

  Delving into different cultures is a fascinating experience.

  • "*Delving*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fascinating experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy delving into historical archives.

  I enjoy delving into historical archives.

  • "*Delving* into historical archives" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*delving* into historical archives).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for delving into ancient civilizations.

  She has a passion for delving into ancient civilizations.

  • "For *delving* into ancient civilizations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *delving* into ancient civilizations).

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 delve into the history of the city tomorrow.

They hope to delve deeper into the research during their study.

He wants to delve into the mysteries of the universe.

We decided to delve into the issue further.

They agreed to delve into the case together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys delving into the world of literature every day.

They recommend regular delving into different fields for personal growth.

I dislike the idea of delving into complicated theories.

He avoids delving into controversial topics.

Can you imagine yourself delving into the depths of the ocean?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to delve into the minds of great thinkers. She likes delving into the minds of great thinkers.

We started to delve into the research project. We started delving into the research project.

He began to delve deeper into the subject matter. He began delving deeper into the subject matter.