To Invent vs Inventing 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 invent (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to invent a device that can teleport.

Inventing (Gerund)

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

Example

Inventing has changed the world in many ways.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To invent (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To invent requires creativity and problem-solving skills.

  To invent requires creativity and problem-solving skills.

  • "*To invent*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (creativity and problem-solving skills).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to invent a new product for her company.

  She wants me to invent a new product for her company.

  • "Me *to invent* a new product for her company" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to invent* a new product for her company).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a lab to invent new technologies.

  I need a lab to invent new technologies.

  • "*To invent* new technologies" modifies the noun "lab."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lab *to invent* new technologies).

Inventing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inventing requires a curious mind and innovative thinking.

  Inventing requires a curious mind and innovative thinking.

  • "*Inventing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a curious mind and innovative thinking).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inventing new solutions to problems.

  I enjoy inventing new solutions to problems.

  • "*Inventing* new solutions to problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inventing* new solutions to problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for inventing.

  She has a passion for inventing.

  • "For *inventing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *inventing*).

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

• plan
• hope
• decide
• choose
• learn

Example

He plans to invent a revolutionary gadget.

They hope to invent a cure for cancer.

We decided to invent a more efficient machine.

She chose to invent a device that helps the visually impaired.

He wants to learn how to invent new things.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys inventing creative gadgets.

They recommend inventing a prototype before production.

I am considering inventing a new type of renewable energy source.

She avoids inventing unnecessary complications.

Can you imagine yourself inventing something groundbreaking?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to invent new technologies. She likes inventing new technologies.

We started to invent together. We started inventing together.

He began to invent at a young age. He began inventing at a young age.