To Demonstrate vs Demonstrating 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 demonstrate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to demonstrate my new invention at the science fair.

Demonstrating (Gerund)

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

Example

Demonstrating in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To demonstrate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To demonstrate is an important skill for teachers.

  To demonstrate is an important skill for teachers.

  • "*To demonstrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for teachers).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to demonstrate the experiment.

  She wants me to demonstrate the experiment.

  • "Me *to demonstrate* the experiment" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to demonstrate* the experiment).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a whiteboard to demonstrate the concepts.

  I need a whiteboard to demonstrate the concepts.

  • "*To demonstrate* the concepts" modifies the noun "whiteboard."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a whiteboard *to demonstrate* the concepts).

Demonstrating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Demonstrating is a great way to showcase your talent.

  Demonstrating is a great way to showcase your talent.

  • "*Demonstrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to showcase your talent).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy demonstrating my cooking skills.

  I enjoy demonstrating my cooking skills.

  • "*Demonstrating* my cooking skills" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*demonstrating* my cooking skills).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for demonstrating her artwork.

  She has a passion for demonstrating her artwork.

  • "For *demonstrating* her artwork" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *demonstrating* her artwork).

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 demonstrate the experiment tomorrow.

They hope to demonstrate their skills during the presentation.

He wants to demonstrate his artistic abilities.

We decided to demonstrate the project at the conference.

They agreed to demonstrate their product together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys demonstrating her dance moves on stage.

They recommend regular demonstrating for better communication skills.

I dislike the idea of demonstrating in front of a large audience.

He avoids demonstrating his weaknesses in public.

Can you imagine yourself demonstrating your skills in a job interview?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to demonstrate her abilities in class. She likes demonstrating her abilities in class.

We started to demonstrate our project to potential investors. We started demonstrating our project to potential investors.

He began to demonstrate his technique to the students. He began demonstrating his technique to the students.