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 start a family.

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 personal decision.

  To marry is a personal decision.

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

  She wants me to marry her.

  She wants me to marry her.

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

  I need a partner to marry.

  I need a partner to marry.

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

Marrying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Marrying is a life-changing event.

  Marrying is a life-changing event.

  • "*Marrying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a life-changing event).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy marrying couples as a wedding officiant.

  I enjoy marrying couples as a wedding officiant.

  • "*Marrying* couples as a wedding officiant" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*marrying* couples as a wedding officiant).
• 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

• decide
• hope
• want
• plan
• choose

Example

They decided to marry in a small ceremony.

I hope to marry someone who shares my interests.

He wants to marry his childhood sweetheart.

We plan to marry next year.

She chose to marry for love rather than money.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy marrying their friends and family members.

I recommend marrying for love and compatibility.

We are considering marrying abroad for a unique experience.

He avoids marrying someone just for their wealth.

Can you imagine yourself marrying a person from a different country?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to marry for love, not convenience. She likes marrying couples in intimate ceremonies.

They started to marry after being together for many years. They started marrying couples as a hobby.

He began to marry his high school sweetheart. He began marrying couples in his community.