When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To feel (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to feel" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to feel the warm sand between my toes.
Feeling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "feeling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Feeling the breeze on my face makes me happy.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To feel (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To feel is a basic human experience.
To feel is a basic human experience.
- "*To feel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic human experience).
- 2Object
She wants me to feel happy.
She wants me to feel happy.
- "Me *to feel* happy" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to feel* happy).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a soft blanket to feel cozy.
I need a soft blanket to feel cozy.
- "*To feel* cozy" modifies the noun "blanket."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a soft blanket *to feel* cozy).
Feeling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Feeling happy is important for overall well-being.
Feeling happy is important for overall well-being.
- "*Feeling* happy" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for overall well-being).
- 2Object
I enjoy feeling the rain on my skin.
I enjoy feeling the rain on my skin.
- "*Feeling* the rain on my skin" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*feeling* the rain on my skin).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for feeling the sand between her toes.
She has a passion for feeling the sand between her toes.
- "For *feeling* the sand between her toes" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *feeling* the sand between her toes).
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 hope to feel relaxed after their vacation.
He wants to feel accomplished at the end of the day.
We decided to feel more confident in ourselves.
They agreed to feel grateful for the little things.
She determined to feel positive despite the challenges.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys feeling the sun on her face.
They recommend feeling grateful for the little things in life.
I am considering feeling more confident in myself.
He avoids feeling overwhelmed by taking breaks.
Can you imagine feeling the wind in your hair as you drive?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to feel the sand beneath her feet. She likes feeling the sand beneath her feet.
We started to feel more present in our daily lives. We started feeling more present in our daily lives.
He began to feel more grateful for what he had. He began feeling more grateful for what he had.
