Help center

To Offer vs Offering Infinitives & Gerunds

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To offer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to offer my assistance to those in need.

Offering (Gerund)

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

Example

Offering assistance is a generous act.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To offer (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To offer help is a kind gesture.

    To offer help is a kind gesture.

    • "*To offer* help" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (help).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to offer my services.

    She wants me to offer my services.

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

    I need a platform to offer my skills.

    I need a platform to offer my skills.

    • "*To offer* my skills" modifies the noun "platform."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to offer* my skills).

Offering (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Offering help can make a difference.

    Offering help can make a difference.

    • "*Offering* help" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can make) + noun phrase (a difference).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy offering my services to others.

    I enjoy offering my services to others.

    • "*Offering* my services" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*offering* my services).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for offering assistance.

    She has a passion for offering assistance.

    • "For *offering* assistance" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *offering* assistance).

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

He plans to offer his assistance tomorrow.

They hope to offer their support to the community.

We want to offer our help to those affected.

She decided to offer her services to the organization.

They agreed to offer their expertise in the project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys offering his expertise to those in need.

They recommend regular offering of support to the community.

I dislike the idea of offering help without being asked.

She avoids offering assistance in situations where it may not be welcomed.

Can you imagine yourself offering your services to those less fortunate?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to offer her help to others. She likes offering her help to others.

We started to offer our support to the organization. We started offering our support to the organization.

He began to offer his services to the community. He began offering his services to the community.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!