When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To last (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to last" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The concert lasted for three hours.
Lasting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "lasting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Lasting friendships are built on trust and mutual respect.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To last (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To last is important for a successful relationship.
To last is important for a successful relationship.
- "*To last*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for a successful relationship).
- 2Object
She wants the party to last all night.
She wants the party to last all night.
- "The party *to last* all night" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the party *to last* all night).
- 3Adverb Modifier
We need the battery to last longer.
We need the battery to last longer.
- "*To last* longer" modifies the noun "battery."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (the battery *to last* longer).
Lasting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Lasting happiness comes from within.
Lasting happiness comes from within.
- "*Lasting* happiness" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (comes) + prepositional phrase (from within).
- 2Object
I enjoy lasting moments with my loved ones.
I enjoy lasting moments with my loved ones.
- "*Lasting* moments with my loved ones" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*lasting* moments with my loved ones).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for lasting impact.
He has a passion for lasting impact.
- "For *lasting* impact" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *lasting* impact).
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
They plan to last in the game until the final whistle.
I hope to last in my new job for many years.
He wants his performance to last in people's memories.
We decided to last in the competition until the end.
They agreed to last in their commitment to each other.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys lasting memories of her travels.
They recommend lasting changes for a healthier lifestyle.
I dislike the idea of lasting pain after surgery.
He avoids lasting damage to his reputation.
Can you imagine the world without lasting peace?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to last in challenging situations. They like lasting in challenging situations.
We started to last longer in bed. We started lasting longer in bed.
He began to last in the marathon races. He began lasting in the marathon races.
