When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To feed (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to feed" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to feed the hungry people in my community.
Feeding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "feeding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Feeding animals can be a rewarding experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To feed (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To feed is a basic human need.
To feed is a basic human need.
- "*To feed*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic human need).
- 2Object
She wants me to feed her pet while she's away.
She wants me to feed her pet while she's away.
- "Me *to feed* her pet" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to feed* her pet).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a spoon to feed the baby.
I need a spoon to feed the baby.
- "*To feed* the baby" modifies the noun "spoon."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a spoon *to feed* the baby).
Feeding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Feeding the homeless is an act of kindness.
Feeding the homeless is an act of kindness.
- "*Feeding* the homeless" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an act of kindness).
- 2Object
I enjoy feeding my pets every day.
I enjoy feeding my pets every day.
- "*Feeding* my pets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*feeding* my pets).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for feeding the birds.
She has a passion for feeding the birds.
- "For *feeding* the birds" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *feeding* the birds).
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
We decided to feed the homeless people in our city.
They offered to feed the animals at the zoo.
She plans to feed the stray cats in her neighborhood.
They hope to feed the hungry children in the village.
He wants to feed the birds in his backyard.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend regular feeding for healthy growth.
He avoids feeding the stray dogs in his neighborhood.
Do you mind feeding the fish while I'm away?
We are considering feeding the hungry children in our community.
Can you imagine yourself feeding wild animals in Africa?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to feed the ducks at the park. She likes feeding the ducks at the park.
We started to feed the stray cats in our neighborhood. We started feeding the stray cats in our neighborhood.
He began to feed the farm animals every morning. He began feeding the farm animals every morning.
