When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To seek (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to seek" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I seek to find the truth.
Seeking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "seeking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Seeking knowledge is a lifelong journey.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To seek (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To seek is a natural human instinct.
To seek is a natural human instinct.
- "*To seek*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural human instinct).
- 2Object
She encourages me to seek new opportunities.
She encourages me to seek new opportunities.
- "Me *to seek* new opportunities" is the object of the verb "encourages."
- Noun (She) + verb (encourages) + noun phrase (me *to seek* new opportunities).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a guide to seek the hidden treasure.
He needs a guide to seek the hidden treasure.
- "*To seek* the hidden treasure" modifies the noun "guide."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a guide *to seek* the hidden treasure).
Seeking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Seeking new experiences broadens your horizons.
Seeking new experiences broadens your horizons.
- "*Seeking* new experiences" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (broadens) + noun phrase (your horizons).
- 2Object
I enjoy seeking adventure in different places.
I enjoy seeking adventure in different places.
- "*Seeking* adventure in different places" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*seeking* adventure in different places).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for seeking knowledge.
She has a passion for seeking knowledge.
- "For *seeking* knowledge" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *seeking* knowledge).
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 hope to seek answers to their questions.
She wants to seek justice for the victims.
We plan to seek professional help for the project.
He decided to seek advice from experts.
They choose to seek opportunities for personal growth.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys seeking new challenges in his career.
They recommend seeking professional advice for financial planning.
I am considering seeking a new job opportunity.
She avoids seeking validation from others.
Can you imagine yourself seeking the meaning of life?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to seek inner peace. I would like seeking inner peace.
They started to seek answers to their questions. They started seeking answers to their questions.
He began to seek opportunities for personal growth. He began seeking opportunities for personal growth.
