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To Image vs Imaging 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 image (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to image the scene in my mind.

Imaging (Gerund)

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

Example

Imaging helps in diagnosing medical conditions.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To image (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To image is a creative process.

    To image is a creative process.

    • "*To image*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a creative process).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to image the concept.

    She wants me to image the concept.

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

    I need a clear mind to image accurately.

    I need a clear mind to image accurately.

    • "*To image* accurately" modifies the noun "mind."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear mind *to image* accurately).

Imaging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Imaging is an essential tool in modern medicine.

    Imaging is an essential tool in modern medicine.

    • "*Imaging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential tool in modern medicine).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy imaging beautiful landscapes.

    I enjoy imaging beautiful landscapes.

    • "*Imaging* beautiful landscapes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*imaging* beautiful landscapes).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for imaging complex structures.

    She has a talent for imaging complex structures.

    • "For *imaging* complex structures" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *imaging* complex structures).

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 image the landscape before painting it.

They hope to image the characters vividly in their minds.

He wants to image the story in his own unique way.

We decided to image the scene from different perspectives.

They agreed to image the setting together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys imaging people's emotions through photography.

They recommend regular imaging for early detection of diseases.

I dislike the process of imaging my dreams.

He avoids imaging negative outcomes.

Can you imagine yourself imaging the beauty of nature?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to image abstract concepts. She likes imaging abstract concepts.

We started to image our dream house. We started imaging our dream house.

He began to image the characters for his novel. He began imaging the characters for his novel.

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