When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To help (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to help" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to help my friend with her homework.
Helping (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "helping" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Helping others brings joy to my heart.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To help (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To help is a kind gesture.
To help is a kind gesture.
- "*To help*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a kind gesture).
- 2Object
She asked me to help her move the furniture.
She asked me to help her move the furniture.
- "Me *to help* her move the furniture" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to help* her move the furniture).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a tool to help me fix the broken chair.
I need a tool to help me fix the broken chair.
- "*To help* me fix the broken chair" modifies the noun "tool."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to help* me fix the broken chair).
Helping (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Helping people in need is a noble act.
Helping people in need is a noble act.
- "*Helping*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a noble act).
- 2Object
I enjoy helping my grandparents with household chores.
I enjoy helping my grandparents with household chores.
- "*Helping* my grandparents with household chores" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*helping* my grandparents with household chores).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for helping others.
She has a talent for helping others.
- "For *helping* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *helping* others).
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 help her neighbor with gardening tomorrow.
They hope to help the homeless during the holiday season.
He wants to help his team win the championship.
We decided to help our friend move to a new apartment.
They agreed to help each other with the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes helping her friends with their problems.
We started helping at the local food bank.
He began helping his community by volunteering at the shelter.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to help others in any way she can. She likes helping others in any way she can.
We started to help our neighbors with their garden. We started helping our neighbors with their garden.
He began to help his sister with her schoolwork. He began helping his sister with her schoolwork.
