To Magnify vs Magnifying 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 magnify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to magnify the image for a better view.

Magnifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Magnifying the image will help you see the details.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To magnify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To magnify is a useful tool for examining small details.

  To magnify is a useful tool for examining small details.

  • "*To magnify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a useful tool for examining small details).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to magnify the document.

  She wants me to magnify the document.

  • "Me *to magnify* the document" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to magnify* the document).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a magnifying glass to magnify the text.

  I need a magnifying glass to magnify the text.

  • "*To magnify* the text" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to magnify* the text).

Magnifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Magnifying is a common technique used in forensic investigations.

  Magnifying is a common technique used in forensic investigations.

  • "*Magnifying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common technique used in forensic investigations).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy magnifying photographs to see the fine details.

  I enjoy magnifying photographs to see the fine details.

  • "*Magnifying* photographs to see the fine details" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*magnifying* photographs to see the fine details).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for magnifying insects.

  She has a passion for magnifying insects.

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

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
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to magnify the image tomorrow.

They hope to magnify the details during their investigation.

He wants to magnify the picture for a clearer view.

We decided to magnify the photo for better visibility.

They agreed to magnify the document together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys magnifying small objects under a microscope.

They recommend using a magnifying glass for magnifying tiny prints.

I dislike the idea of magnifying flaws in people's appearances.

He avoids magnifying his mistakes in public.

Can you imagine yourself magnifying the stars in the night sky?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to magnify documents for better readability. She likes magnifying objects to examine them closely.

We started to magnify images for a more detailed analysis. We started magnifying the evidence to uncover hidden clues.

He began to magnify pictures to see the finer details. He began magnifying photographs to capture small intricacies.