When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To invest (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to invest" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to invest in real estate to build wealth.
Investing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "investing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Investing in the stock market can be risky.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To invest (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To invest wisely requires careful research.
To invest wisely requires careful research.
- "*To invest* wisely" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful research).
- 2Object
She wants me to invest in her business venture.
She wants me to invest in her business venture.
- "Me *to invest* in her business venture" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to invest* in her business venture).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a financial advisor to invest my money.
I need a financial advisor to invest my money.
- "*To invest* my money" modifies the noun "financial advisor."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a financial advisor *to invest* my money).
Investing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Investing requires knowledge and patience.
Investing requires knowledge and patience.
- "*Investing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (knowledge and patience).
- 2Object
I enjoy investing in different industries.
I enjoy investing in different industries.
- "*Investing* in different industries" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*investing* in different industries).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for investing in startups.
She has a passion for investing in startups.
- "For *investing* in startups" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *investing* in startups).
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
He plans to invest in stocks for long-term growth.
They hope to invest in a startup company.
She wants to invest in a retirement fund.
We decided to invest in a new business venture.
They agreed to invest in real estate together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys investing in real estate properties.
They recommend diversifying your portfolio by investing in various assets.
I dislike the idea of investing in high-risk ventures.
She avoids investing in speculative stocks.
Can you imagine yourself investing in cryptocurrency?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to invest in the stock market. He likes investing in the stock market.
We started to invest in mutual funds. We started investing in mutual funds.
She began to invest in real estate properties. She began investing in real estate properties.
