When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To host (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to host" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to host a party at my house.
Hosting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hosting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Hosting a show can be a stressful job.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To host (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To host an event requires careful planning.
To host an event requires careful planning.
- "*To host* an event" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
- 2Object
She wants me to host the meeting.
She wants me to host the meeting.
- "Me *to host* the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to host* the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a spacious venue to host the conference.
We need a spacious venue to host the conference.
- "*To host* the conference" modifies the noun "venue."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a spacious venue *to host* the conference).
Hosting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Hosting events is his passion.
Hosting events is his passion.
- "*Hosting* events" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his passion).
- 2Object
I enjoy hosting parties for my friends.
I enjoy hosting parties for my friends.
- "*Hosting* parties for my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hosting* parties for my friends).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has experience in hosting corporate events.
She has experience in hosting corporate events.
- "In *hosting* corporate events" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *hosting* corporate events).
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
They plan to host a charity event next month.
He decided to host a dinner party for his friends.
The hotel offers to host weddings and other special events.
We want to host a workshop on leadership skills.
They agreed to host the annual conference in their city.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys hosting live music shows.
They recommend hosting virtual events during the pandemic.
She avoids hosting large gatherings at her home.
We are considering hosting a webinar on entrepreneurship.
Can you imagine yourself hosting a talk show?
