When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To thrive (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to thrive" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to thrive in my new job and make a positive impact.
Thriving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "thriving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Thriving in a challenging environment requires resilience and adaptability.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To thrive (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To thrive requires hard work and dedication.
To thrive requires hard work and dedication.
- "*To thrive*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
- 2Object
She wants me to thrive in my studies.
She wants me to thrive in my studies.
- "Me *to thrive* in my studies" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to thrive* in my studies).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a supportive environment to thrive in my career.
I need a supportive environment to thrive in my career.
- "*To thrive* in my career" modifies the noun "environment."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a supportive environment *to thrive* in my career).
Thriving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Thriving is a result of hard work and determination.
Thriving is a result of hard work and determination.
- "*Thriving*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a result of hard work and determination).
- 2Object
I enjoy thriving in my career.
I enjoy thriving in my career.
- "*Thriving* in my career" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*thriving* in my career).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for thriving in challenging situations.
She has a passion for thriving in challenging situations.
- "For *thriving*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *thriving* in challenging situations).
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 thrive in her business venture.
They hope to thrive in their new community.
He wants to thrive in his personal life.
We decided to thrive in our relationship.
They agreed to thrive in their team project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys thriving in her creative pursuits.
They recommend regular thriving for personal growth.
I dislike the feeling of thriving under pressure.
He avoids thriving in toxic environments.
Can you imagine yourself thriving in a leadership role?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to thrive in challenging situations. She likes thriving in challenging situations.
We started to thrive in our new business venture. We started thriving in our new business venture.
He began to thrive in his fitness journey. He began thriving in his fitness journey.
