To Foster vs Fostering 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 foster (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to foster a sense of community in our neighborhood.

Fostering (Gerund)

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

Example

Fostering a supportive environment is crucial for personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To foster (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To foster teamwork is essential in any organization.

  To foster teamwork is essential in any organization.

  • "*To foster* teamwork" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in any organization).
• 2. Object

  She encourages me to foster positive relationships.

  She encourages me to foster positive relationships.

  • "Me *to foster* positive relationships" is the object of the verb "encourages."
  • Noun (She) + verb (encourages) + noun phrase (me *to foster* positive relationships).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a supportive environment to foster creativity.

  We need a supportive environment to foster creativity.

  • "*To foster* creativity" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a supportive environment *to foster* creativity).

Fostering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Fostering positive relationships leads to a happier life.

  Fostering positive relationships leads to a happier life.

  • "*Fostering* positive relationships" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (leads) + noun phrase (a happier life).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fostering creativity in my team.

  I enjoy fostering creativity in my team.

  • "*Fostering* creativity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fostering* creativity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for fostering sustainable practices.

  She has a passion for fostering sustainable practices.

  • "For *fostering* sustainable practices" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *fostering* sustainable practices).

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

They plan to foster a sense of belonging in their new community.

I hope to foster a love for reading in my students.

He wants to foster a culture of inclusivity at work.

We decided to foster innovation through collaboration.

They agreed to foster a sense of responsibility among the youth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys fostering teamwork in his department.

They recommend fostering a sense of community in schools.

I dislike the idea of fostering competition among colleagues.

She avoids fostering a negative work environment.

Can you imagine yourself fostering a sense of belonging in a new place?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to foster positive change in society. I like fostering positive change in society.

We started to foster collaboration within the team. We started fostering collaboration within the team.

He began to foster a sense of belonging in the community. He began fostering a sense of belonging in the community.