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To Rear vs Rearing 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 rear (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to rear chickens in my backyard.

Rearing (Gerund)

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

Example

Rearing children is a challenging but rewarding experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rear (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To rear chickens requires a lot of space.

    To rear chickens requires a lot of space.

    • "*To rear* chickens" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of space).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to rear the new puppies.

    She wants me to rear the new puppies.

    • "Me *to rear* the new puppies" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rear* the new puppies).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a stable to rear horses.

    We need a stable to rear horses.

    • "*To rear* horses" modifies the noun "stable."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a stable *to rear* horses).

Rearing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Rearing children requires patience and dedication.

    Rearing children requires patience and dedication.

    • "*Rearing* children" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and dedication).
  • 2Object

    She enjoys rearing plants in her garden.

    She enjoys rearing plants in her garden.

    • "*Rearing* plants in her garden" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
    • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*rearing* plants in her garden).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a passion for rearing livestock.

    He has a passion for rearing livestock.

    • "For *rearing* livestock" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *rearing* livestock).

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

They plan to rear goats on their farm.

He hopes to rear his own vegetables in the garden.

She wants to rear a family of rabbits as pets.

I decided to rear bees for honey production.

We agreed to rear fish in our backyard pond.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy rearing chickens for fresh eggs.

I recommend rearing dogs for companionship.

She dislikes the process of rearing insects for research purposes.

We avoid rearing wild animals as pets.

Can you imagine yourself rearing exotic plants in a greenhouse?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

He likes to rear cattle on his farm. He likes rearing cattle on his farm.

We started to rear ducks in our backyard. We started rearing ducks in our backyard.

She began to rear sheep for wool production. She began rearing sheep for wool production.

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