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To Retail vs Retailing 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 retail (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to retail my own products online.

Retailing (Gerund)

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

Example

Retailing can be a profitable business venture.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To retail (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To retail is a common business practice.

    To retail is a common business practice.

    • "*To retail*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common business practice).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to retail her handmade crafts.

    She wants me to retail her handmade crafts.

    • "Me *to retail* her handmade crafts" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to retail* her handmade crafts).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a platform to retail my products.

    I need a platform to retail my products.

    • "*To retail* my products" modifies the noun "platform."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to retail* my products).

Retailing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Retailing requires excellent marketing skills.

    Retailing requires excellent marketing skills.

    • "*Retailing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (excellent marketing skills).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy retailing products to customers.

    I enjoy retailing products to customers.

    • "*Retailing* products to customers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*retailing* products to customers).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for retailing fashion accessories.

    She has a passion for retailing fashion accessories.

    • "For *retailing* fashion accessories" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *retailing* fashion accessories).

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 retail her products in multiple stores.

They hope to retail their goods internationally.

He wants to retail his merchandise online.

We decided to retail our products at a local market.

They agreed to retail their items through a partnership.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys retailing unique products in her boutique.

They recommend studying the art of retailing for success.

I dislike the idea of retailing low-quality items.

He avoids retailing products with unethical sourcing.

Can you imagine yourself retailing luxury goods?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to retail high-end fashion brands. She likes retailing high-end fashion brands.

We started to retail our homemade goods. We started retailing our homemade goods.

He began to retail electronics online. He began retailing electronics online.

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