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 positive work environment leads to increased productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To foster (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To foster positive relationships is important for personal growth.

  To foster positive relationships is important for personal growth.

  • "*To foster* positive relationships" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to foster a love for reading in her children.

  She wants me to foster a love for reading in her children.

  • "Me *to foster* a love for reading in her children" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to foster* a love for reading in her children).
• 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 open communication is crucial for effective teamwork.

  Fostering open communication is crucial for effective teamwork.

  • "*Fostering* open communication" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for effective teamwork).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fostering a sense of community in my neighborhood.

  I enjoy fostering a sense of community in my neighborhood.

  • "*Fostering* a sense of community in my neighborhood" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fostering* a sense of community in my neighborhood).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for fostering personal growth in others.

  She has a passion for fostering personal growth in others.

  • "For *fostering* personal growth in others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *fostering* personal growth in others).

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

She plans to foster teamwork among her employees.

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

He wants to foster innovation in his company.

We decided to foster inclusivity in our organization.

They agreed to foster collaboration among different departments.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys fostering teamwork among her colleagues.

They recommend fostering a culture of continuous learning.

I dislike the idea of fostering a competitive environment.

He avoids fostering a toxic work atmosphere.

Can you imagine yourself fostering positive change in your community?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to foster creativity in her students. She likes fostering creativity in her students.

We started to foster teamwork from day one. We started fostering teamwork from day one.

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