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 wonderful 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 and build a life together.

  I need a partner to marry and build a life together.

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

Marrying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Marrying requires careful consideration and commitment.

  Marrying requires careful consideration and commitment.

  • "*Marrying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration and commitment).
• 2. Object

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

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

  • "*Marrying* couples and being a part of their special day" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*marrying* couples and being a 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 in a beautiful ceremony next year.

I hope to marry someone who shares my values and goals.

He wants to marry his high school sweetheart.

We have decided to marry after being together for many years.

They agreed to marry each other and start a family.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

They enjoy marrying couples in unique and creative ways.

I recommend seeking counseling before marrying someone.

He avoids marrying for financial reasons.

Can you imagine yourself marrying someone you just met?

We are considering marrying in a destination wedding.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to marry for love rather than convenience. She likes marrying couples who have a strong connection.

We started to marry after being together for many years. We started marrying couples as a way to give back.

He began to marry people from all walks of life. He began marrying couples in his community.