When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To listen (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to listen" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to listen to music to relax.
Listening (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "listening" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Listening to podcasts is a great way to learn new things.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To listen (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To listen is an important skill in communication.
To listen is an important skill in communication.
- "*To listen*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in communication).
- 2Object
She wants me to listen to her story.
She wants me to listen to her story.
- "Me *to listen* to her story" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to listen* to her story).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a quiet environment to listen to my favorite podcast.
I need a quiet environment to listen to my favorite podcast.
- "*To listen* to my favorite podcast" modifies the noun "environment."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to listen* to my favorite podcast).
Listening (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Listening is an essential part of effective communication.
Listening is an essential part of effective communication.
- "*Listening*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of effective communication).
- 2Object
I enjoy listening to music in my free time.
I enjoy listening to music in my free time.
- "*Listening* to music" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*listening* to music).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for listening to podcasts.
She has a passion for listening to podcasts.
- "For *listening* to podcasts" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *listening* to podcasts).
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
He enjoys to listen to classical music in the evenings.
They recommend to listen to audiobooks for language learning.
I avoid to listen to negative news before bedtime.
Can you imagine yourself to listen to live concerts every week?
Do you mind to listen to this song?
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like listening to audiobooks during their commute.
We started listening to a new podcast series.
He began listening to motivational speeches every morning.
She continues listening to her favorite radio show.
I prefer listening to instrumental music while studying.
