To Savor vs Savoring Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To savor (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to savor every bite of this delicious meal.

Savoring (Gerund)

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

Example

Savoring the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is a delightful experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To savor (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To savor is a great way to fully enjoy your food.

  To savor is a great way to fully enjoy your food.

  • "*To savor*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to fully enjoy your food).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to savor the flavor of this dish.

  She wants me to savor the flavor of this dish.

  • "Me *to savor* the flavor of this dish" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to savor* the flavor of this dish).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a quiet environment to savor my cup of coffee.

  I need a quiet environment to savor my cup of coffee.

  • "*To savor* my cup of coffee" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to savor* my cup of coffee).

Savoring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Savoring good food is one of life's simple pleasures.

  Savoring good food is one of life's simple pleasures.

  • "*Savoring* good food" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (one of life's simple pleasures).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy savoring a piece of dark chocolate.

  I enjoy savoring a piece of dark chocolate.

  • "*Savoring* a piece of dark chocolate" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*savoring* a piece of dark chocolate).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for savoring different cuisines.

  He has a passion for savoring different cuisines.

  • "For *savoring* different cuisines" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *savoring* different cuisines).

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

• recommend
• hope
• decide
• want
• choose

Example

They recommend to savor each sip of the fine wine.

I hope to savor the flavors of the local cuisine during my trip.

We decided to savor a romantic dinner at the new restaurant.

He wants to savor the homemade dessert after dinner.

She chose to savor the moment rather than rush through it.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• recommend

Example

She enjoys savoring a glass of fine wine in the evening.

They avoid savoring spicy foods due to sensitive stomachs.

I can imagine myself savoring a tropical fruit salad on the beach.

We are considering savoring a gourmet meal at the new restaurant.

He recommends savoring the sunset while enjoying a cup of tea.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to savor the rich flavors of her favorite desserts. She likes savoring the rich flavors of her favorite desserts.

We started to savor every moment of our vacation. We started savoring every moment of our vacation.

He began to savor the small pleasures in life. He began savoring the small pleasures in life.