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To Glean vs Gleaning Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To glean (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to glean information from this article.

Gleaning (Gerund)

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

Example

Gleaning information from multiple sources is essential.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To glean (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To glean is an important skill for researchers.

    To glean is an important skill for researchers.

    • "*To glean*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for researchers).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to glean insights from the data.

    She wants me to glean insights from the data.

    • "Me *to glean* insights from the data" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to glean* insights from the data).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a book to glean information from.

    I need a book to glean information from.

    • "*To glean* information from" modifies the noun "book."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a book *to glean* information from).

Gleaning (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Gleaning knowledge is a lifelong process.

    Gleaning knowledge is a lifelong process.

    • "*Gleaning*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a lifelong process).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy gleaning insights from books and articles.

    I enjoy gleaning insights from books and articles.

    • "*Gleaning* insights from books and articles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gleaning* insights from books and articles).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for gleaning information.

    She has a passion for gleaning information.

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

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 glean useful tips from the seminar tomorrow.

They hope to glean knowledge from the expert speaker.

He wants to glean insights from the research study.

We decided to glean information from various sources.

They agreed to glean data for their analysis.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys gleaning knowledge from different sources.

They recommend regular gleaning of information for better understanding.

I dislike the idea of gleaning data from unreliable sources.

He avoids gleaning information from biased websites.

Can you imagine yourself gleaning wisdom from ancient texts?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to glean valuable insights from interviews. She likes gleaning valuable insights from interviews.

We started to glean information from primary sources. We started gleaning information from primary sources.

He began to glean useful tips from experienced professionals. He began gleaning useful tips from experienced professionals.

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