To Examine vs Examining 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 examine (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to examine the evidence thoroughly before making a decision.

Examining (Gerund)

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

Example

Examining the evidence carefully is crucial for a fair trial.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To examine (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To examine is an important step in the research process.

  To examine is an important step in the research process.

  • "*To examine*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the research process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to examine the documents.

  She wants me to examine the documents.

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

  I need a microscope to examine the samples.

  I need a microscope to examine the samples.

  • "*To examine* the samples" modifies the noun "microscope."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a microscope *to examine* the samples).

Examining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Examining the crime scene is an important task for investigators.

  Examining the crime scene is an important task for investigators.

  • "*Examining* the crime scene" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important task for investigators).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy examining different cultures and traditions.

  I enjoy examining different cultures and traditions.

  • "*Examining* different cultures and traditions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*examining* different cultures and traditions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for examining complex problems.

  She has a talent for examining complex problems.

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

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 examine the data tomorrow.

They hope to examine the artifacts during their visit to the museum.

He wants to examine the patient's medical records.

We decided to examine the options before making a choice.

They agreed to examine the proposal together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys examining artworks in museums.

They recommend regular examining of financial statements for better financial management.

I dislike the idea of examining insects up close.

He avoids examining controversial topics in his research.

Can you imagine yourself examining ancient ruins?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to examine every detail carefully. She likes examining every detail carefully.

We started to examine the patient's symptoms. We started examining the patient's symptoms.

He began to examine the evidence more closely. He began examining the evidence more closely.