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To Heal vs Healing 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 heal (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to heal people and make a difference in their lives.

Healing (Gerund)

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

Example

Healing takes time and patience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To heal (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To heal is the goal of every doctor.

    To heal is the goal of every doctor.

    • "*To heal*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every doctor).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to heal her wounds.

    She wants me to heal her wounds.

    • "Me *to heal* her wounds" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to heal* her wounds).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a bandage to heal his wound.

    He needs a bandage to heal his wound.

    • "*To heal* his wound" modifies the noun "bandage."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a bandage *to heal* his wound).

Healing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Healing is a natural process.

    Healing is a natural process.

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

    I enjoy healing others through my work.

    I enjoy healing others through my work.

    • "*Healing* others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*healing* others).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for healing the sick.

    She has a passion for healing the sick.

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

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 heal patients using alternative medicine.

They hope to heal the world with their medical research.

He wants to heal people through holistic healing.

We decided to heal others by becoming healthcare professionals.

They agreed to heal the wounded soldiers in the war zone.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys healing people through her therapeutic skills.

They recommend healing therapies for stress relief.

I dislike the idea of healing without proper medical guidance.

He avoids healing methods that have no scientific evidence.

Can you imagine yourself healing others as a healthcare professional?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to heal others through her compassionate care. She likes healing others through her compassionate care.

We started to heal the community by providing free healthcare services. We started healing the community by providing free healthcare services.

He began to heal patients with his expertise. He began healing patients with his expertise.

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