Help center

To Owe vs Owing 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 owe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I owe my friend money.

Owing (Gerund)

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

Example

Owing money can lead to financial stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To owe (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To owe money is stressful.

    To owe money is stressful.

    • "*To owe* money" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (stressful).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to owe her a favor.

    She wants me to owe her a favor.

    • "Me *to owe* her a favor" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to owe* her a favor).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a reminder to owe him an apology.

    I need a reminder to owe him an apology.

    • "*To owe* him an apology" modifies the noun "reminder."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reminder *to owe* him an apology).

Owing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Owing a debt is a serious matter.

    Owing a debt is a serious matter.

    • "*Owing* a debt" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a serious matter).
  • 2Object

    I dislike owing people money.

    I dislike owing people money.

    • "*Owing* people money" is the object of the verb "dislike."
    • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*owing* people money).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of owing large amounts of money.

    She has a fear of owing large amounts of money.

    • "Of *owing* large amounts of money" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *owing* large amounts of money).

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 promised to owe me the money by next week.

They refused to owe him any more favors.

We choose not to owe anyone any debts.

She attempted to owe him a sincere apology.

They demanded to owe them an explanation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids owing money by saving diligently.

They are considering owing a house in the future.

I recommend paying off debts and not owing anyone money.

Can you imagine owing a million dollars?

She doesn't mind owing a small amount of money.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I like to owe my success to hard work. I like owing my success to hard work.

He started to owe a lot of money after losing his job. He started owing a lot of money after losing his job.

We began to owe our landlord rent every month. We began owing our landlord rent every month.

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!