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To Owe vs Owing Infinitives & Gerunds

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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 don't want to owe anyone any 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 difficulties.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To owe (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To owe money is a stressful situation.

    To owe money is a stressful situation.

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

    He asked me to owe him a favor.

    He asked me to owe him a favor.

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

    She needs a loan to owe her own house.

    She needs a loan to owe her own house.

    • "*To owe* her own house" modifies the noun "loan."
    • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a loan *to owe* her own house).

Owing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Owing taxes is a common problem.

    Owing taxes is a common problem.

    • "*Owing* taxes" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common problem).
  • 2Object

    I regret owing him a favor.

    I regret owing him a favor.

    • "*Owing* him a favor" is the object of the verb "regret."
    • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*owing* him a favor).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of owing money.

    She has a fear of owing money.

    • "Of *owing* money" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *owing* 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 any debts to the bank.

She attempted to owe a smaller amount of money.

The landlord demanded to owe the rent on time.

We wish to owe no one anything.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids owing any debts to his friends.

They are considering owing a smaller amount of money.

The financial advisor recommends owing less money to the bank.

She postponed owing the rent until next month.

Can you understand the consequences of owing a large sum of money?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to owe people favors. She likes owing people favors.

They started to owe money after losing their job. They started owing money after losing their job.

He began to owe a significant amount of money. He began owing a significant amount of money.

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