When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To love (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to love" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
She loves to love and be loved in return.
Loving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "loving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Loving oneself is crucial for personal growth and happiness.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To love (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To love is a powerful emotion.
To love is a powerful emotion.
- "*To love*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a powerful emotion).
- 2Object
He wants me to love him unconditionally.
He wants me to love him unconditionally.
- "Me *to love* him unconditionally" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to love* him unconditionally).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need someone to love and care for.
I need someone to love and care for.
- "*To love* and care for" modifies the noun "someone."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (someone *to love* and care for).
Loving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Loving others unconditionally brings joy and fulfillment.
Loving others unconditionally brings joy and fulfillment.
- "*Loving* others unconditionally" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (joy and fulfillment).
- 2Object
I enjoy loving and taking care of my pets.
I enjoy loving and taking care of my pets.
- "*Loving* and taking care of my pets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*loving* and taking care of my pets).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for loving and helping others.
She has a passion for loving and helping others.
- "For *loving* and helping others" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *loving* and helping others).
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 love herself more and practice self-care.
They hope to love each other unconditionally throughout their lives.
He wants to love and be loved by someone special.
We decided to love ourselves and prioritize self-love.
They agreed to love each other no matter what.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys loving and spending time with her family.
They recommend loving oneself before seeking love from others.
I dislike the idea of loving someone who doesn't appreciate it.
He avoids loving people who take advantage of his kindness.
Can you imagine yourself loving and forgiving those who have hurt you?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to love unconditionally. She likes loving unconditionally.
We started to love each other deeply. We started loving each other deeply.
He began to love himself and prioritize self-care. He began loving himself and prioritizing self-care.
