When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To gravitate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to gravitate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I tend to gravitate towards creative activities.
Gravitating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "gravitating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Gravitating towards art is a natural inclination.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To gravitate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To gravitate towards art is natural for me.
To gravitate towards art is natural for me.
- "*To gravitate* towards art" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (natural for me).
- 2Object
She wants me to gravitate towards a career in design.
She wants me to gravitate towards a career in design.
- "Me *to gravitate* towards a career in design" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to gravitate* towards a career in design).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a workspace to gravitate towards my creative pursuits.
I need a workspace to gravitate towards my creative pursuits.
- "*To gravitate* towards my creative pursuits" modifies the noun "workspace."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a workspace *to gravitate* towards my creative pursuits).
Gravitating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Gravitating towards creativity is a common trait among artists.
Gravitating towards creativity is a common trait among artists.
- "*Gravitating* towards creativity" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common trait among artists).
- 2Object
I enjoy gravitating towards unique art pieces.
I enjoy gravitating towards unique art pieces.
- "*Gravitating* towards unique art pieces" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gravitating* towards unique art pieces).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for gravitating towards unconventional forms of expression.
She has a passion for gravitating towards unconventional forms of expression.
- "For *gravitating* towards unconventional forms of expression" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *gravitating* towards unconventional forms of expression).
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 gravitate towards a more artistic lifestyle.
They hope to gravitate towards a career in music.
He wants to gravitate towards expressing himself through writing.
We decided to gravitate towards a more innovative approach.
They agreed to gravitate towards exploring new forms of art.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys gravitating towards abstract art.
They recommend gravitating towards different styles for artistic growth.
I dislike the idea of gravitating towards mainstream trends.
He avoids gravitating towards traditional art forms.
Can you imagine yourself gravitating towards performance art?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to gravitate towards vibrant colors. She likes gravitating towards vibrant colors.
We started to gravitate towards abstract painting. We started gravitating towards abstract painting.
He began to gravitate towards mixed media artwork. He began gravitating towards mixed media artwork.
