When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To indulge (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to indulge" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to indulge in a delicious dessert.
Indulging (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "indulging" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Indulging in hobbies can bring joy and fulfillment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To indulge (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To indulge in guilty pleasures is sometimes necessary.
To indulge in guilty pleasures is sometimes necessary.
- "*To indulge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (sometimes necessary).
- 2Object
She wants me to indulge in shopping.
She wants me to indulge in shopping.
- "Me *to indulge* in shopping" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to indulge* in shopping).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a break to indulge in relaxation.
I need a break to indulge in relaxation.
- "*To indulge* in relaxation" modifies the noun "break."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a break *to indulge* in relaxation).
Indulging (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Indulging in creative activities is a great way to express oneself.
Indulging in creative activities is a great way to express oneself.
- "*Indulging*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to express oneself).
- 2Object
I enjoy indulging in reading novels.
I enjoy indulging in reading novels.
- "*Indulging* in reading novels" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*indulging* in reading novels).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for indulging in gourmet cuisine.
She has a passion for indulging in gourmet cuisine.
- "For *indulging*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *indulging* in gourmet cuisine).
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 indulge in a spa day next weekend.
They hope to indulge in a beach vacation this summer.
He wants to indulge in a luxurious holiday.
We decided to indulge in a fancy dinner tonight.
They agreed to indulge in a shopping spree together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys indulging in spa treatments on weekends.
They recommend indulging in self-care activities for stress relief.
I dislike the idea of indulging in unhealthy habits.
He avoids indulging in negative behaviors.
Can you imagine yourself indulging in a luxurious vacation?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to indulge in fine dining. She likes indulging in fine dining.
We started to indulge in outdoor activities. We started indulging in outdoor activities.
He began to indulge in yoga practice. He began indulging in yoga practice.
