When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To observe (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to observe" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat.
Observing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "observing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Observing nature can be a calming experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To observe (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To observe is an essential skill for scientists.
To observe is an essential skill for scientists.
- "*To observe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill for scientists).
- 2Object
She wants me to observe the experiment.
She wants me to observe the experiment.
- "Me *to observe* the experiment" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to observe* the experiment).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a telescope to observe distant stars.
I need a telescope to observe distant stars.
- "*To observe* distant stars" modifies the noun "telescope."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a telescope *to observe* distant stars).
Observing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Observing birds is a popular hobby.
Observing birds is a popular hobby.
- "*Observing* birds" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular hobby).
- 2Object
I enjoy observing the stars at night.
I enjoy observing the stars at night.
- "*Observing* the stars at night" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*observing* the stars at night).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for observing wildlife.
She has a passion for observing wildlife.
- "For *observing* wildlife" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *observing* wildlife).
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
She plans to observe the birds in the park tomorrow.
They hope to observe the solar eclipse next year.
He wants to observe the behavior of animals in the wild.
We decided to observe the night sky with a telescope.
They agreed to observe the experiment together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys observing nature in her free time.
They recommend regular observing of celestial events for astronomy enthusiasts.
I dislike the idea of observing insects up close.
He avoids observing dangerous animals from a close distance.
Can you imagine yourself observing rare species in the rainforest?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to observe the behavior of people. She likes observing the behavior of people.
We started to observe the stars through a telescope. We started observing the stars through a telescope.
He began to observe wildlife during his nature walks. He began observing wildlife during his nature walks.
