To Embody vs Embodying 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 embody (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to embody the values of honesty and integrity.

Embodying (Gerund)

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

Example

Embodying the ideals of kindness and compassion can make a positive impact on others.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To embody (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To embody those qualities is essential for a leader.

  To embody those qualities is essential for a leader.

  • "*To embody* those qualities" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for a leader).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to embody the spirit of teamwork.

  She wants me to embody the spirit of teamwork.

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

  I need a role model to embody success.

  I need a role model to embody success.

  • "*To embody* success" modifies the noun "role model."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a role model *to embody* success).

Embodying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Embodying those values is crucial in our organization.

  Embodying those values is crucial in our organization.

  • "*Embodying* those values" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in our organization).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy embodying the spirit of generosity.

  I enjoy embodying the spirit of generosity.

  • "*Embodying* the spirit of generosity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*embodying* the spirit of generosity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for embodying different characters.

  She has a talent for embodying different characters.

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

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 embody the company's values in her work.

They hope to embody the principles of fairness and equality.

He wants to embody the characteristics of a great leader.

We decided to embody the spirit of collaboration in our project.

They agreed to embody the mission statement in their actions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys embodying the values of honesty and respect.

They recommend embodying a positive attitude in challenging situations.

I avoid embodying negative emotions in my interactions.

It is worth considering embodying the principles of sustainability.

Can you imagine yourself embodying confidence and self-belief?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to embody the essence of beauty. She likes embodying the essence of beauty.

We started to embody the values of teamwork. We started embodying the values of teamwork.

He began to embody the principles of leadership. He began embodying the principles of leadership.