When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To intern (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to intern" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to intern at a reputable company to gain experience.
Interning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "interning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Interning is a great way to gain practical skills.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To intern (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To intern is a valuable opportunity for college students.
To intern is a valuable opportunity for college students.
- "*To intern*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a valuable opportunity for college students).
- 2Object
She wants me to intern at her company.
She wants me to intern at her company.
- "Me *to intern* at her company" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to intern* at her company).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a company to intern with this summer.
I need a company to intern with this summer.
- "*To intern* with this summer" modifies the noun "company."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a company *to intern* with this summer).
Interning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Interning requires dedication and hard work.
Interning requires dedication and hard work.
- "*Interning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
- 2Object
I enjoy interning at this company.
I enjoy interning at this company.
- "*Interning* at this company" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*interning* at this company).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for interning in the fashion industry.
She has a passion for interning in the fashion industry.
- "For *interning* in the fashion industry" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *interning* in the fashion industry).
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 intern at a startup next year.
They hope to intern in a foreign country for cultural immersion.
He wants to intern in the field of finance.
We decided to intern at different companies to explore our interests.
They agreed to intern together at a nonprofit organization.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys interning at a tech startup.
They recommend gaining experience through interning.
I dislike the idea of interning without compensation.
He avoids interning in companies with unethical practices.
Can you imagine yourself interning at a prestigious firm?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to intern at renowned companies. She likes interning at renowned companies.
We started to intern at a local business. We started interning at a local business.
He began to intern in his junior year of college. He began interning in his junior year of college.
