To Showcase vs Showcasing 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 showcase (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to showcase my artwork at the gallery.

Showcasing (Gerund)

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

Example

Showcasing your skills can lead to new opportunities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To showcase (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To showcase your talent is important in the art industry.

  To showcase your talent is important in the art industry.

  • "*To showcase* your talent" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in the art industry).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to showcase my photography skills.

  She asked me to showcase my photography skills.

  • "Me *to showcase* my photography skills" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to showcase* my photography skills).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a platform to showcase our products.

  We need a platform to showcase our products.

  • "*To showcase* our products" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to showcase* our products).

Showcasing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Showcasing your creativity is essential in the art world.

  Showcasing your creativity is essential in the art world.

  • "*Showcasing* your creativity" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential in the art world).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy showcasing my talents on social media.

  I enjoy showcasing my talents on social media.

  • "*Showcasing* my talents on social media" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*showcasing* my talents on social media).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for showcasing her fashion designs.

  She has a passion for showcasing her fashion designs.

  • "For *showcasing* her fashion designs" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *showcasing* her fashion designs).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to showcase his new collection next month.

They hope to showcase their talents in the upcoming exhibition.

She wants to showcase her artwork in a prestigious gallery.

We decided to showcase our designs at the fashion show.

They agreed to showcase their music at the concert.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys showcasing his culinary skills to friends and family.

They recommend regularly showcasing your portfolio to potential clients.

I dislike the idea of showcasing my personal life on social media.

She avoids showcasing her weaknesses in front of others.

Can you imagine yourself showcasing your talents on a global stage?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to showcase their artwork in local galleries. They like showcasing their artwork in local galleries.

He started to showcase his talent at a young age. He started showcasing his talent at a young age.

She began to showcase her skills through online platforms. She began showcasing her skills through online platforms.