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To Romanticize vs Romanticizing 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 romanticize (Infinitive)

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

Example

She tends to romanticize relationships and often ends up disappointed.

Romanticizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Romanticizing can lead to unrealistic expectations in relationships.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To romanticize (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To romanticize is a common tendency among young people.

    To romanticize is a common tendency among young people.

    • "*To romanticize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common tendency among young people).
  • 2Object

    He wants me to romanticize our love story.

    He wants me to romanticize our love story.

    • "Me *to romanticize* our love story" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to romanticize* our love story).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    She needs a partner to romanticize her life with.

    She needs a partner to romanticize her life with.

    • "*To romanticize* her life with" modifies the noun "partner."
    • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a partner *to romanticize* her life with).

Romanticizing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Romanticizing is a common behavior among hopeless romantics.

    Romanticizing is a common behavior among hopeless romantics.

    • "*Romanticizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior among hopeless romantics).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy romanticizing about my future with my partner.

    I enjoy romanticizing about my future with my partner.

    • "*Romanticizing* about my future with my partner" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*romanticizing* about my future with my partner).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a habit of romanticizing every little gesture.

    He has a habit of romanticizing every little gesture.

    • "Of *romanticizing* every little gesture" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *romanticizing* every little gesture).

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 romanticize their anniversary with a candlelit dinner.

I hope to romanticize my relationship by surprising my partner with a weekend getaway.

We want to romanticize our wedding by having a fairy-tale theme.

He decided to romanticize his proposal by popping the question during a sunset cruise.

She agreed to romanticize their date by going to a fancy restaurant.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy romanticizing their love story through writing poetry.

Experts recommend avoiding excessive romanticizing in relationships to maintain a realistic perspective.

She dislikes the habit of romanticizing every aspect of love.

He avoids romanticizing past relationships to move forward.

Can you imagine yourself romanticizing a simple date into a grand affair?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to romanticize her memories of past relationships. She likes romanticizing her memories of past relationships.

We started to romanticize our love story after watching a romantic movie. We started romanticizing our love story after watching a romantic movie.

He began to romanticize every little gesture from his partner. He began romanticizing every little gesture from his partner.

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