When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To retire (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to retire" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I plan to retire at the age of 65.
Retiring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "retiring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Retiring allows people to pursue their hobbies and interests.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To retire (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To retire early requires careful financial planning.
To retire early requires careful financial planning.
- "*To retire* early" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful financial planning).
- 2Object
She wants her husband to retire next year.
She wants her husband to retire next year.
- "Her husband *to retire* next year" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her husband *to retire* next year).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a comfortable place to retire.
He needs a comfortable place to retire.
- "*To retire*" modifies the noun "place."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a comfortable place *to retire*).
Retiring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Retiring from work can be both exciting and challenging.
Retiring from work can be both exciting and challenging.
- "*Retiring* from work" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (both exciting and challenging).
- 2Object
I enjoy retiring to a peaceful countryside.
I enjoy retiring to a peaceful countryside.
- "*Retiring* to a peaceful countryside" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*retiring* to a peaceful countryside).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for retiring early.
She has a passion for retiring early.
- "For *retiring* early" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *retiring* early).
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 retire in a tropical paradise.
I hope to retire early and travel the world.
We decided to retire in a peaceful countryside.
She wants to retire in a cozy beach house.
He chose to retire in a quiet mountain town.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys retiring to his cozy cabin in the woods.
They recommend retiring in a warm climate for better health.
Can you imagine yourself retiring on a tropical island?
She avoids retiring in a noisy city.
I am considering retiring in a peaceful seaside town.
