To Inspire vs Inspiring 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 inspire (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to inspire others with my artwork.

Inspiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Inspiring others brings me joy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inspire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inspire is his ultimate goal in life.

  To inspire is his ultimate goal in life.

  • "*To inspire*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal in life).
• 2. Object

  She encourages me to inspire others through my writing.

  She encourages me to inspire others through my writing.

  • "Me *to inspire* others through my writing" is the object of the verb "encourages."
  • Noun (She) + verb (encourages) + noun phrase (me *to inspire* others through my writing).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a source of motivation to inspire me.

  I need a source of motivation to inspire me.

  • "*To inspire* me" modifies the noun "source of motivation."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a source of motivation *to inspire* me).

Inspiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inspiring people is his passion.

  Inspiring people is his passion.

  • "*Inspiring* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his passion).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inspiring others to follow their dreams.

  I enjoy inspiring others to follow their dreams.

  • "*Inspiring* others to follow their dreams" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inspiring* others to follow their dreams).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for inspiring those around her.

  She has a talent for inspiring those around her.

  • "For *inspiring* those around her" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *inspiring* those around her).

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

• hope
• want
• choose
• plan
• struggle

Example

They hope to inspire change through their activism.

He wants to inspire others to pursue their dreams.

We choose to inspire creativity in our students.

She plans to inspire her team to achieve greatness.

They struggle to inspire innovation in their industry.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys inspiring people through her music.

They recommend inspiring books for personal growth.

I avoid inspiring jealousy in others.

Can you imagine inspiring a positive change in the world?

We consider him an inspiring leader.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to inspire others with her speeches. She likes inspiring others with her speeches.

He began to inspire people through his art. He began inspiring people through his art.

We continue to inspire our team to reach their full potential. We continue inspiring our team to reach their full potential.