When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To flourish (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to flourish" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I hope to flourish in my new job.
Flourishing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "flourishing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Flourishing requires continuous effort.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To flourish (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To flourish requires hard work and dedication.
To flourish requires hard work and dedication.
- "*To flourish*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
- 2Object
She wants me to flourish in my studies.
She wants me to flourish in my studies.
- "Me *to flourish* in my studies" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to flourish* in my studies).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a supportive environment to flourish.
I need a supportive environment to flourish.
- "*To flourish*" modifies the noun "supportive environment."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a supportive environment *to flourish*).
Flourishing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Flourishing is a sign of success.
Flourishing is a sign of success.
- "*Flourishing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of success).
- 2Object
I enjoy flourishing in my hobbies.
I enjoy flourishing in my hobbies.
- "*Flourishing* in my hobbies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*flourishing* in my hobbies).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for flourishing in her career.
She has a passion for flourishing in her career.
- "For *flourishing* in her career" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *flourishing* in her career).
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
She plans to flourish in her career.
They decided to flourish in their artistic pursuits.
He wants to flourish in his personal life.
We determined to flourish in our endeavors.
They struggled to flourish in a competitive industry.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys flourishing in her role at work.
They recommend continuous learning for flourishing in your field.
I avoid negative people to maintain a flourishing mindset.
Can you imagine yourself flourishing in your dream job?
He practices mindfulness for flourishing in his personal life.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to flourish in my creative endeavors. I would like flourishing in my creative endeavors.
She started to flourish in her business. She started flourishing in her business.
He began to flourish in his academic career. He began flourishing in his academic career.
