To Purse vs Pursing 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 purse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to purse my lips and blow out the candles.

Pursing (Gerund)

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

Example

Pursing your lips can indicate disapproval.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To purse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To purse your lips is a common expression of concentration.

  To purse your lips is a common expression of concentration.

  • "*To purse* your lips" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common expression of concentration).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to purse my lips in the photo.

  She wants me to purse my lips in the photo.

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

  I need a small bag to purse my belongings.

  I need a small bag to purse my belongings.

  • "*To purse* my belongings" modifies the noun "bag."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a small bag *to purse* my belongings).

Pursing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pursing your lips is a common gesture of skepticism.

  Pursing your lips is a common gesture of skepticism.

  • "*Pursing* your lips" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common gesture of skepticism).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy pursing my lips when I'm thinking.

  I enjoy pursing my lips when I'm thinking.

  • "*Pursing* my lips when I'm thinking" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pursing* my lips when I'm thinking).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of pursing her lips when she's nervous.

  She has a habit of pursing her lips when she's nervous.

  • "Of *pursing* her lips when she's nervous" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *pursing* her lips when she's nervous).

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
• hope
• attempt
• wish
• refuse

Example

She decided to purse her lips for the perfect selfie.

They hope to purse their lips and make a wish.

He attempted to purse his lips and whistle.

We wish to purse our lips and blow bubbles.

They refused to purse their lips for the camera.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• discuss

Example

He avoids pursing his lips in public.

They are considering pursing their lips as a form of protest.

I recommend pursing your lips to show disapproval.

Can you imagine yourself pursing your lips in disbelief?

Let's discuss the art of pursing lips for expression.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to purse her lips when she's concentrating. She likes pursing her lips when she's concentrating.

We started to purse our lips as a form of greeting. We started pursing our lips as a form of greeting.

He began to purse his lips in frustration. He began pursing his lips in frustration.