When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To tend (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to tend" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I tend to procrastinate when it comes to cleaning.
Tending (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "tending" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Tending to plants can be therapeutic.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To tend (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To tend is a common human behavior.
To tend is a common human behavior.
- "*To tend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common human behavior).
- 2Object
She wants me to tend to the garden.
She wants me to tend to the garden.
- "Me *to tend* to the garden" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to tend* to the garden).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a reminder to tend to my plants.
I need a reminder to tend to my plants.
- "*To tend* to my plants" modifies the noun "reminder."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reminder *to tend* to my plants).
Tending (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Tending to a garden requires patience and dedication.
Tending to a garden requires patience and dedication.
- "*Tending* to a garden" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and dedication).
- 2Object
I enjoy tending to my houseplants.
I enjoy tending to my houseplants.
- "*Tending* to my houseplants" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tending* to my houseplants).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for tending to her community.
She has a passion for tending to her community.
- "For *tending*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *tending* to her community).
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
She plans to tend to her chores tomorrow.
They hope to tend to their responsibilities during the weekend.
He wants to tend to his personal growth.
We decided to tend to the garden this weekend.
They agreed to tend to the project together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys tending to her garden every morning.
They recommend regular tending for healthy plants.
I dislike the idea of tending to a large garden.
He avoids tending to plants that require too much maintenance.
Can you imagine yourself tending to a farm?
