To Sparkle vs Sparkling 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 sparkle (Infinitive)

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

Example

The diamond ring sparkled in the sunlight.

Sparkling (Gerund)

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

Example

The sparkling water was refreshing on a hot day.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sparkle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sparkle is a characteristic of diamonds.

  To sparkle is a characteristic of diamonds.

  • "*To sparkle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a characteristic of diamonds).
• 2. Object

  She wants the necklace to sparkle at the party.

  She wants the necklace to sparkle at the party.

  • "The necklace *to sparkle* at the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the necklace *to sparkle* at the party).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a clean cloth to sparkle my windows.

  I need a clean cloth to sparkle my windows.

  • "*To sparkle* my windows" modifies the noun "cloth."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clean cloth *to sparkle* my windows).

Sparkling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sparkling is an attractive quality in jewelry.

  Sparkling is an attractive quality in jewelry.

  • "*Sparkling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an attractive quality in jewelry).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy the feeling of sparkling champagne on my tongue.

  I enjoy the feeling of sparkling champagne on my tongue.

  • "The feeling of *sparkling* champagne on my tongue" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (the feeling of *sparkling* champagne on my tongue).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for sparkling gemstones.

  She has a passion for sparkling gemstones.

  • "For *sparkling* gemstones" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *sparkling* gemstones).

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

She plans to sparkle the room with fairy lights.

They hope to sparkle on stage during the performance.

He wants the fireworks to sparkle brightly in the sky.

We decided to sparkle our garden with string lights.

They agreed to sparkle the dance floor with glitter.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys sparkling conversation with friends.

They recommend using sparkling water to clean jewelry.

I dislike the taste of sparkling soda.

He avoids wearing sparkling accessories.

Can you imagine yourself wearing sparkling evening gowns?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to sparkle her nails with glitter polish. She likes sparkling jewelry.

We started to sparkle the Christmas tree ornaments. We started sparkling the glasses for the party.

He began to sparkle the room with string lights. He began sparkling in the ballet performance.