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 animals at the zoo.
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 the homeless is a rewarding experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To feed (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To feed the birds is a popular tourist activity.
To feed the birds is a popular tourist activity.
- "*To feed* the birds" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular tourist activity).
- 2Object
She wants me to feed her cat while she's away.
She wants me to feed her cat while she's away.
- "Me *to feed* her cat while she's away" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to feed* her cat while she's away).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a large bowl to feed all the guests.
We need a large bowl to feed all the guests.
- "*To feed* all the guests" modifies the noun "bowl."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a large bowl *to feed* all the guests).
Feeding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Feeding the birds in the park is a common pastime.
Feeding the birds in the park is a common pastime.
- "*Feeding* the birds in the park" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common pastime).
- 2Object
I enjoy feeding my pet rabbit every morning.
I enjoy feeding my pet rabbit every morning.
- "*Feeding* my pet rabbit every morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*feeding* my pet rabbit every morning).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for feeding stray animals.
She has a passion for feeding stray animals.
- "For *feeding* stray animals" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *feeding* stray animals).
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
They plan to feed the ducks in the park tomorrow.
I hope to feed the fish in the aquarium during my visit.
He wants to feed the horses on the farm.
We decided to feed the stray cats in the neighborhood.
They agreed to feed the animals together at the sanctuary.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys feeding the ducks in the pond.
They recommend regular feeding for healthy pets.
I dislike the idea of feeding wild animals.
She avoids feeding the squirrels in her backyard.
Can you imagine yourself feeding exotic animals in a zoo?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to feed the birds in her garden. She likes feeding the birds in her garden.
They started to feed the stray cats in their neighborhood. They started feeding the stray cats in their neighborhood.
He began to feed the fish in his aquarium. He began feeding the fish in his aquarium.
