To Fascinate vs Fascinating 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 fascinate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I am fascinated by the stars and want to fascinate others with my knowledge.

Fascinating (Gerund)

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

Example

Fascinating people with interesting stories is her passion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fascinate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fascinate is the goal of every magician.

  To fascinate is the goal of every magician.

  • "*To fascinate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every magician).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to fascinate the audience with my performance.

  She wants me to fascinate the audience with my performance.

  • "Me *to fascinate* the audience with my performance" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to fascinate* the audience with my performance).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need an interesting topic to fascinate my listeners.

  I need an interesting topic to fascinate my listeners.

  • "*To fascinate* my listeners" modifies the noun "topic."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an interesting topic *to fascinate* my listeners).

Fascinating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Fascinating others with my knowledge is my goal.

  Fascinating others with my knowledge is my goal.

  • "*Fascinating* others with my knowledge" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my goal).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fascinating people with my magic tricks.

  I enjoy fascinating people with my magic tricks.

  • "*Fascinating* people with my magic tricks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fascinating* people with my magic tricks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for fascinating her audience.

  She has a talent for fascinating her audience.

  • "For *fascinating* her audience" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *fascinating* her audience).

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

He plans to fascinate the crowd with his magic tricks.

They hope to fascinate the judges in the talent show.

She wants to fascinate her readers with her captivating stories.

We decided to fascinate the audience with our innovative presentation.

They agreed to fascinate the viewers with their stunning dance performance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys fascinating his friends with his interesting stories.

They recommend fascinating books for a thrilling reading experience.

I dislike the idea of fascinating others with false information.

She avoids fascinating people with boring presentations.

Can you imagine yourself fascinating a large audience with your speech?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to fascinate her audience with mind-blowing illusions. She likes fascinating her audience with mind-blowing illusions.

We started to fascinate people with our unique storytelling techniques. We started fascinating people with our unique storytelling techniques.

He began to fascinate the world with his groundbreaking inventions. He began fascinating the world with his groundbreaking inventions.