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
He offered to help me with my project.
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 help is a generous act.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To offer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To offer assistance is a kind gesture.
To offer assistance is a kind gesture.
- "*To offer* assistance" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a kind gesture).
- 2Object
She wants him to offer his support.
She wants him to offer his support.
- "Him *to offer* his support" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to offer* his support).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a hand to offer help.
I need a hand to offer help.
- "*To offer* help" modifies the noun "hand."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hand *to offer* help).
Offering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Offering assistance is appreciated by many.
Offering assistance is appreciated by many.
- "*Offering* assistance" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (appreciated by many).
- 2Object
They appreciate her offering her support.
They appreciate her offering her support.
- "Her *offering* her support" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (They) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (her *offering* her support).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for offering advice.
He has a talent for offering advice.
- "For *offering* advice" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *offering* advice).
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
They agreed to offer their services for free.
We decided to offer our assistance to those in need.
She hopes to offer her expertise to the team.
He plans to offer his time to volunteer work.
I wish to offer my condolences to the family.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She recommends offering your assistance to the community.
They are considering offering their services at a discounted rate.
I don't mind offering my help when needed.
He avoids offering unsolicited advice.
Can you imagine offering your support to those in need?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to offer her assistance to others. She likes offering her assistance to others.
We started to offer our services to local charities. We started offering our services to local charities.
He began to offer his help to the community. He began offering his help to the community.
