When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To rise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to rise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to rise above my limitations and achieve success.
Rising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "rising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Rising early gives me more time to be productive.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To rise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To rise early in the morning is a healthy habit.
To rise early in the morning is a healthy habit.
- "*To rise* early in the morning" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a healthy habit).
- 2Object
She wants me to rise to the challenge.
She wants me to rise to the challenge.
- "Me *to rise* to the challenge" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rise* to the challenge).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a ladder to rise to the top shelf.
He needs a ladder to rise to the top shelf.
- "*To rise* to the top shelf" modifies the noun "ladder."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a ladder *to rise* to the top shelf).
Rising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Rising early is beneficial for your health.
Rising early is beneficial for your health.
- "*Rising* early" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (beneficial for your health).
- 2Object
I enjoy rising before the sun.
I enjoy rising before the sun.
- "*Rising* before the sun" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rising* before the sun).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for rising above adversity.
She has a passion for rising above adversity.
- "For *rising* above adversity" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *rising* above adversity).
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 rise early tomorrow morning.
I hope to rise above my fears and insecurities.
We want to rise to the occasion and make a difference.
She decided to rise above the negativity and focus on her goals.
They agreed to rise together and face the challenges head-on.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys rising early and watching the sunrise.
Experts recommend rising slowly to avoid dizziness.
I dislike the idea of rising before dawn.
She avoids rising late and wasting the day.
Can you imagine rising to the top of your field?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to rise with the sun. They like rising with the sun.
He started to rise earlier for better productivity. He started rising earlier for better productivity.
We began to rise before dawn to catch the sunrise. We began rising before dawn to catch the sunrise.
