To Imbibe vs Imbibing Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To imbibe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to imbibe the knowledge of different cultures through travel.

Imbibing (Gerund)

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

Example

Imbibing new ideas is essential for personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To imbibe (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To imbibe is a common practice in many cultures.

  To imbibe is a common practice in many cultures.

  • "*To imbibe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in many cultures).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to imbibe the values of our family.

  She wants me to imbibe the values of our family.

  • "Me *to imbibe* the values of our family" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to imbibe* the values of our family).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a book to imbibe knowledge from.

  I need a book to imbibe knowledge from.

  • "*To imbibe* knowledge from" modifies the noun "book."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a book *to imbibe* knowledge from).

Imbibing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Imbibing positive habits leads to a healthier lifestyle.

  Imbibing positive habits leads to a healthier lifestyle.

  • "*Imbibing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (leads to) + noun phrase (a healthier lifestyle).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy imbibing different cultures through travel.

  I enjoy imbibing different cultures through travel.

  • "*Imbibing* different cultures through travel" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*imbibing* different cultures through travel).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for imbibing knowledge from various sources.

  She has a passion for imbibing knowledge from various sources.

  • "For *imbibing* knowledge from various sources" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *imbibing* knowledge from various sources).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to imbibe the local cuisine during her trip to Italy.

They hope to imbibe the traditions of the indigenous people they encounter on their journey.

He wants to imbibe the wisdom of ancient civilizations.

We decided to imbibe the local customs and traditions of the places we visit.

They agreed to imbibe the teachings of their spiritual guru.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys imbibing new experiences through adventure sports.

They recommend regular imbibing of literature for intellectual growth.

I dislike the idea of imbibing harmful substances.

He avoids imbibing negative energy from toxic people.

Can you imagine yourself imbibing the culture of a foreign country?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to imbibe the wisdom of ancient texts. She likes imbibing new knowledge.

We started to imbibe healthy habits. We started imbibing positive changes in our lives.

He began to imbibe the teachings of his mentor. He began imbibing the knowledge shared by his mentor.