When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To further (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to further" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to further my education by pursuing a master's degree.
Furthering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "furthering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Furthering your education can open up new opportunities.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To further (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To further your career, you need to acquire new skills.
To further your career, you need to acquire new skills.
- "*To further* your career" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (need) + noun phrase (new skills).
- 2Object
She wants me to further her research.
She wants me to further her research.
- "Me *to further* her research" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to further* her research).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a scholarship to further his studies.
He needs a scholarship to further his studies.
- "*To further* his studies" modifies the noun "scholarship."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a scholarship *to further* his studies).
Furthering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Furthering your skills is essential in today's competitive job market.
Furthering your skills is essential in today's competitive job market.
- "*Furthering* your skills" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in today's competitive job market).
- 2Object
I enjoy furthering my knowledge through online courses.
I enjoy furthering my knowledge through online courses.
- "*Furthering* my knowledge through online courses" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*furthering* my knowledge through online courses).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for furthering social justice.
She has a passion for furthering social justice.
- "For *furthering* social justice" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *furthering* social justice).
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 further their knowledge in the field of medicine.
We hope to further our understanding of climate change through research.
She wants to further her career in finance.
He decided to further his skills by attending workshops.
They agreed to further their collaboration on the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys furthering his career through continuous learning.
They recommend furthering your skills through internships and practical experience.
I avoid furthering my studies in subjects I have no interest in.
Can you imagine furthering your professional development through networking?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to further her knowledge through research. She likes furthering her knowledge through research.
He started to further his career at a young age. He started furthering his career at a young age.
We began to further our understanding of the topic. We began furthering our understanding of the topic.
