To Marry vs Marrying 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 marry (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to marry my partner and spend the rest of my life with them.

Marrying (Gerund)

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

Example

Marrying someone you love is a beautiful experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To marry (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To marry is a significant life decision.

  To marry is a significant life decision.

  • "*To marry*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a significant life decision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to marry her in a beautiful ceremony.

  She wants me to marry her in a beautiful ceremony.

  • "Me *to marry* her in a beautiful ceremony" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to marry* her in a beautiful ceremony).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a partner to marry and share my life with.

  I need a partner to marry and share my life with.

  • "*To marry* and share my life with" modifies the noun "partner."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a partner *to marry* and share my life with).

Marrying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Marrying is a sacred union between two individuals.

  Marrying is a sacred union between two individuals.

  • "*Marrying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sacred union between two individuals).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy marrying couples and being part of their special day.

  I enjoy marrying couples and being part of their special day.

  • "*Marrying* couples and being part of their special day" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*marrying* couples and being part of their special day).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for marrying people from different cultures.

  She has a passion for marrying people from different cultures.

  • "For *marrying* people from different cultures" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *marrying* people from different cultures).

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

They plan to marry next year in a grand wedding ceremony.

He hopes to marry his high school sweetheart someday.

We want to marry in a destination wedding.

She decided to marry him after years of dating.

They agreed to marry each other and start a family.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys marrying couples and making their wedding day memorable.

I recommend marrying someone who shares your values and goals.

They avoid marrying for the wrong reasons, such as societal pressure.

Can you imagine marrying your best friend and spending your lives together?

She is considering marrying him despite their cultural differences.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to marry someone who understands and supports me. I like marrying couples and witnessing their love stories.

They started to marry after being in a committed relationship for many years. They started marrying couples as a way to celebrate love.

He began to marry at a young age, but it didn't work out. He began marrying couples as a side job while studying.