When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To hear (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to hear" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to hear your opinion on this matter.
Hearing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hearing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Hearing is one of the five senses.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To hear (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To hear is a basic human ability.
To hear is a basic human ability.
- "*To hear*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic human ability).
- 2Object
She wants me to hear the music.
She wants me to hear the music.
- "Me *to hear* the music" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hear* the music).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a quiet room to hear the conversation.
I need a quiet room to hear the conversation.
- "*To hear* the conversation" modifies the noun "room."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet room *to hear* the conversation).
Hearing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Hearing helps us perceive the world around us.
Hearing helps us perceive the world around us.
- "*Hearing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (us perceive the world around us).
- 2Object
I enjoy hearing live music.
I enjoy hearing live music.
- "*Hearing* live music" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hearing* live music).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for hearing different languages.
She has a passion for hearing different languages.
- "For *hearing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *hearing* different languages).
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
We decided to hear both sides of the argument before making a decision.
He wants to hear the news as soon as it breaks.
They refused to hear any more excuses for being late.
I attempted to hear what they were saying, but it was too far away.
She pretended to hear what he was saying, even though she wasn't paying attention.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They consider hearing both sides of the story before making a judgment.
I recommend hearing this album, it's really good.
He avoids hearing negative comments about himself.
We delayed hearing the results of the test until next week.
Can you imagine hearing your favorite song live?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to hear her favorite band play live. She likes hearing her favorite band play live.
We began to hear strange noises coming from the attic. We began hearing strange noises coming from the attic.
He continues to hear the sound of waves crashing on the shore. He continues hearing the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
