When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To realize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to realize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to realize my dreams and aspirations.
Realizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "realizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Realizing your true potential can lead to great accomplishments.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To realize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To realize your potential is a lifelong journey.
To realize your potential is a lifelong journey.
- "*To realize* your potential" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (your potential).
- 2Object
She wants me to realize my mistakes.
She wants me to realize my mistakes.
- "Me *to realize* my mistakes" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to realize* my mistakes).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a plan to realize my goals.
I need a plan to realize my goals.
- "*To realize* my goals" modifies the noun "plan."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to realize* my goals).
Realizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Realizing your dreams is a fulfilling experience.
Realizing your dreams is a fulfilling experience.
- "*Realizing* your dreams" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fulfilling experience).
- 2Object
I enjoy realizing my goals and seeing progress.
I enjoy realizing my goals and seeing progress.
- "*Realizing* my goals and seeing progress" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*realizing* my goals and seeing progress).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for realizing her vision.
She has a passion for realizing her vision.
- "For *realizing* her vision" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *realizing* her vision).
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
She plans to realize her dreams by working hard.
They hope to realize their full potential in their careers.
He wants to realize his ambitions and achieve success.
We decided to realize our dreams through perseverance.
They agreed to realize their goals together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys realizing her potential and achieving success.
They recommend setting goals and actively realizing them.
I dislike the feeling of not realizing my dreams.
He avoids procrastination to prevent realizing missed opportunities.
Can you imagine the satisfaction of realizing your goals?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to realize her dreams and make them a reality. She likes realizing her potential and achieving success.
We started to realize our true calling in life. We started realizing our dreams and taking action.
He began to realize the importance of self-belief. He began realizing the impact of his actions.
