To Usher vs Ushering 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 usher (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to usher people into the theater.

Ushering (Gerund)

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

Example

Ushering is a rewarding experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To usher (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To usher is an important job at the event.

  To usher is an important job at the event.

  • "*To usher*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important job at the event).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to usher the guests to their seats.

  She wants me to usher the guests to their seats.

  • "Me *to usher* the guests to their seats" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to usher* the guests to their seats).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a responsible person to usher attendees.

  We need a responsible person to usher attendees.

  • "*To usher* attendees" modifies the noun "person."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a responsible person *to usher* attendees).

Ushering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ushering requires good communication skills.

  Ushering requires good communication skills.

  • "*Ushering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good communication skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ushering people to their seats.

  I enjoy ushering people to their seats.

  • "*Ushering* people to their seats" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ushering* people to their seats).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for ushering at events.

  She has a passion for ushering at events.

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

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

They plan to usher guests at the event next week.

I hope to usher people to their seats smoothly.

He wants to usher VIPs during the ceremony.

We decided to usher attendees to the conference room.

They agreed to usher the audience into the auditorium together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys ushering guests at the theater.

They recommend ushering as a part-time job for students.

I dislike the idea of ushering in crowded venues.

She avoids ushering at late-night events.

Can you imagine yourself ushering at a concert?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to usher patrons to their seats. They like ushering patrons to their seats.

He started to usher at a young age. He started ushering at a young age.

She began to usher for local events. She began ushering for local events.