When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To matter (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to matter" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
It doesn't matter if you come late.
Mattering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "mattering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Mattering to others is a basic human need.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To matter (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To matter is important in life.
To matter is important in life.
- "*To matter*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important) + prepositional phrase (in life).
- 2Object
I want my opinion to matter in this decision.
I want my opinion to matter in this decision.
- "My opinion *to matter* in this decision" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (I) + verb (want) + possessive pronoun (my) + noun phrase (opinion *to matter* in this decision).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a job to matter in society.
She needs a job to matter in society.
- "*To matter* in society" modifies the noun "job."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a job *to matter* in society).
Mattering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Mattering to someone makes you feel valued.
Mattering to someone makes you feel valued.
- "*Mattering* to someone" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (makes) + pronoun (you) + adjective (valued).
- 2Object
I enjoy the feeling of mattering to others.
I enjoy the feeling of mattering to others.
- "The feeling of *mattering* to others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + noun phrase (the feeling of *mattering* to others).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a fear of not mattering to anyone.
He has a fear of not mattering to anyone.
- "Of not *mattering* to anyone" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of not *mattering* to anyone).
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
We decided to matter in our own lives.
They hope to matter to their friends and family.
He refused to matter in that discussion.
She attempted to matter in the organization.
We choose to matter in our community.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys mattering to her friends and family.
They recommend mattering to oneself before others.
I avoid the feeling of not mattering to anyone.
Can you imagine mattering to everyone around you?
He considers mattering to be a fundamental human need.
