When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To intend (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to intend" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I intend to swim in the competition to win first place.
Intending (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "intending" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Intending to swim is not the same as actually swimming.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To intend (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To intend is not enough, you have to take action.
To intend is not enough, you have to take action.
- "*To intend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not enough).
- 2Object
She intends me to swim with her in the lake.
She intends me to swim with her in the lake.
- "Me *to swim* with her in the lake" is the object of the verb "intends."
- Noun (She) + verb (intends) + noun phrase (me *to swim* with her in the lake).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a coach to swim faster.
I need a coach to swim faster.
- "*To swim* faster" modifies the noun "coach."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a coach *to swim* faster).
Intending (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Intending to swim is not enough, you have to actually get in the water.
Intending to swim is not enough, you have to actually get in the water.
- "*Intending* to swim" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not enough).
- 2Object
I enjoy intending to swim in the competition.
I enjoy intending to swim in the competition.
- "*Intending* to swim in the competition" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*intending* to swim in the competition).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for intending to swim in open water.
She has a passion for intending to swim in open water.
- "For *intending* to swim in open water" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *intending* to swim in open water).
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
We agreed to swim together in the race.
They hope to swim in the ocean during their vacation.
He wants to swim in the deep end of the pool.
She decided to swim competitively this year.
We plan to swim in the lake tomorrow.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes intending to swim in the ocean.
We started intending to swim every morning.
He began intending to swim competitively.
They continue intending to swim in the race.
Can you help me with intending to swim better?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to intend to swim in the competition. She likes intending to swim in the competition.
We started to intend to swim every morning. We started intending to swim every morning.
He began to intend to swim competitively. He began intending to swim competitively.
