When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To return (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to return" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I promise to return the book to the library tomorrow.
Returning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "returning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Returning home after a long day feels comforting.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To return (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To return the favor is the right thing to do.
To return the favor is the right thing to do.
- "*To return* the favor" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the right thing to do).
- 2Object
She wants me to return her phone.
She wants me to return her phone.
- "Me *to return* her phone" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to return* her phone).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a receipt to return the item.
I need a receipt to return the item.
- "*To return* the item" modifies the noun "receipt."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a receipt *to return* the item).
Returning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Returning the favor is a kind gesture.
Returning the favor is a kind gesture.
- "*Returning* the favor" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a kind gesture).
- 2Object
I enjoy returning to my favorite restaurant.
I enjoy returning to my favorite restaurant.
- "*Returning* to my favorite restaurant" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*returning* to my favorite restaurant).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of returning calls promptly.
She has a habit of returning calls promptly.
- "Of *returning* calls promptly" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *returning* calls promptly).
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 return the money next week.
They hope to return to their hometown someday.
He wants to return the gift to the store.
We decided to return the car to the dealership.
They agreed to return the borrowed tools on time.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys returning to her hometown during holidays.
They recommend returning the product within 30 days for a refund.
I dislike returning items to the store.
He avoids returning to that place due to bad memories.
Can you imagine yourself returning to your childhood home?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to return to her favorite vacation spot every year. She likes returning to her favorite vacation spot every year.
We started to return the borrowed books to the library. We started returning the borrowed books to the library.
He began to return calls as soon as possible. He began returning calls as soon as possible.
