When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To imagine (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to imagine" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to imagine a world without poverty.
Imagining (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "imagining" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Imagining a peaceful world is a common dream.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To imagine (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To imagine is a creative process.
To imagine is a creative process.
- "*To imagine*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a creative process).
- 2Object
She wants me to imagine a different future.
She wants me to imagine a different future.
- "Me *to imagine* a different future" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to imagine* a different future).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a tool to imagine new possibilities.
We need a tool to imagine new possibilities.
- "*To imagine* new possibilities" modifies the noun "tool."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to imagine* new possibilities).
Imagining (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Imagining brings out our creativity.
Imagining brings out our creativity.
- "*Imagining*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (brings out) + noun phrase (our creativity).
- 2Object
I enjoy imagining different scenarios.
I enjoy imagining different scenarios.
- "*Imagining* different scenarios" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*imagining* different scenarios).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for imagining vivid stories.
She has a talent for imagining vivid stories.
- "For *imagining* vivid stories" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *imagining* vivid stories).
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 imagine a better world for future generations.
He hopes to imagine a solution to the problem.
She wants to imagine a different reality.
We decided to imagine a new approach to the project.
They agreed to imagine a future without boundaries.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys imagining himself in different roles.
They recommend imagining success before taking action.
I dislike the idea of imagining worst-case scenarios.
She avoids imagining negative outcomes.
We are considering imagining new possibilities for the project.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to imagine a better future. She likes imagining the possibilities.
They started to imagine a world without borders. They started imagining a brighter future.
He began to imagine himself as a successful entrepreneur. He began imagining a life full of opportunities.
