To Inhabit vs Inhabiting 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 inhabit (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to inhabit a cozy cabin in the woods.

Inhabiting (Gerund)

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

Example

Inhabiting this area requires adaptability and resilience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inhabit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inhabit this land is a privilege.

  To inhabit this land is a privilege.

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

  She wants me to inhabit the new house.

  She wants me to inhabit the new house.

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

  We need a safe environment to inhabit.

  We need a safe environment to inhabit.

  • "*To inhabit*" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a safe environment *to inhabit*).

Inhabiting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inhabiting remote areas can be challenging.

  Inhabiting remote areas can be challenging.

  • "*Inhabiting* remote areas" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inhabiting different cultures.

  I enjoy inhabiting different cultures.

  • "*Inhabiting* different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inhabiting* different cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for inhabiting sustainable communities.

  He has a passion for inhabiting sustainable communities.

  • "For *inhabiting* sustainable communities" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *inhabiting* sustainable communities).

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

• choose
• plan
• refuse
• manage
• demand

Example

He chose to inhabit the city instead of the countryside.

They plan to inhabit the island for a year.

She refused to inhabit the old mansion due to its spooky reputation.

We managed to inhabit the remote village despite the challenges.

The tribe demands the right to inhabit their ancestral lands.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• mind

Example

They avoid inhabiting areas with extreme weather conditions.

Experts recommend inhabiting urban areas for job opportunities.

I am considering inhabiting a remote mountain region.

Can you imagine yourself inhabiting a different planet?

He doesn't mind inhabiting a small apartment.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to inhabit spacious houses. She likes inhabiting spacious houses.

They started to inhabit the coastal region. They started inhabiting the coastal region.

He began to inhabit the forest after retirement. He began inhabiting the forest after retirement.