To Own vs Owning Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

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

To own (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to own a beautiful house.

Owning (Gerund)

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

Example

Owning a dog can be a rewarding experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To own (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To own a business requires dedication and hard work.

  To own a business requires dedication and hard work.

  • "*To own* a business" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to own a car.

  She wants me to own a car.

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

  I need a large space to own all my belongings.

  I need a large space to own all my belongings.

  • "*To own* all my belongings" modifies the noun "space."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a large space *to own* all my belongings).

Owning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Owning a house requires financial stability.

  Owning a house requires financial stability.

  • "*Owning* a house" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (financial stability).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy owning a collection of rare books.

  I enjoy owning a collection of rare books.

  • "*Owning* a collection of rare books" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*owning* a collection of rare books).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for owning vintage cars.

  She has a passion for owning vintage cars.

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

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

• decide
• offer
• plan
• wish
• refuse

Example

We decided to own a pet together.

They offered to own a share of the company to investors.

He plans to own a vacation home in the mountains.

She wishes to own a successful business someday.

They refused to own any responsibility for the accident.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind

Example

He enjoys owning a small business.

They recommend owning a reliable car for daily commuting.

I avoid owning too many unnecessary things.

We are considering owning a vacation property.

Do you mind owning pets in your apartment?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to own expensive jewelry. She likes owning expensive jewelry.

We started to own our own business. We started owning our own business.

He began to own multiple properties. He began owning multiple properties.