When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To honour (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to honour" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I promise to honour my commitment to the organization.
Honouring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "honouring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Honouring their sacrifice is the least we can do.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To honour (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To honour is a sign of respect.
To honour is a sign of respect.
- "*To honour*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of respect).
- 2Object
They want us to honour their request.
They want us to honour their request.
- "Us *to honour* their request" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to honour* their request).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a ceremony to honour her achievements.
She needs a ceremony to honour her achievements.
- "*To honour* her achievements" modifies the noun "ceremony."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a ceremony *to honour* her achievements).
Honouring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Honouring their memory is important to me.
Honouring their memory is important to me.
- "*Honouring* their memory" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important to me).
- 2Object
We appreciate honouring our traditions.
We appreciate honouring our traditions.
- "*Honouring* our traditions" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (We) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*honouring* our traditions).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for honouring her family.
She has a passion for honouring her family.
- "For *honouring* her family" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *honouring* her family).
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 all agree to honour his memory by continuing his work.
She plans to honour the veterans with a special ceremony.
He refused to honour the agreement they had made.
They determined to honour the fallen soldiers with a memorial.
I wish to honour my ancestors through my actions.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys honouring his ancestors by following their customs.
They recommend honouring the achievements of women in history.
We are considering honouring the volunteers at our event.
She avoids honouring commitments that she cannot fulfill.
Can you imagine honouring your role models in person?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to honour your presence at the event. I would like honouring your presence at the event.
They started to honour their employees for their hard work. They started honouring their employees for their hard work.
She began to honour her mentor by carrying on their legacy. She began honouring her mentor by carrying on their legacy.
