When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To visit (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to visit" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to visit my grandparents this weekend.
Visiting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "visiting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Visiting new places broadens your horizons.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To visit (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To visit new places is always exciting.
To visit new places is always exciting.
- "*To visit* new places" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (always exciting).
- 2Object
She wants me to visit her in the hospital.
She wants me to visit her in the hospital.
- "Me *to visit* her in the hospital" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to visit* her in the hospital).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a map to visit all the tourist attractions.
I need a map to visit all the tourist attractions.
- "*To visit* all the tourist attractions" modifies the noun "map."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a map *to visit* all the tourist attractions).
Visiting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Visiting museums is a great way to learn about history.
Visiting museums is a great way to learn about history.
- "*Visiting* museums" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to learn about history).
- 2Object
I enjoy visiting my friends on weekends.
I enjoy visiting my friends on weekends.
- "*Visiting* my friends on weekends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*visiting* my friends on weekends).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for visiting art galleries.
She has a passion for visiting art galleries.
- "For *visiting* art galleries" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *visiting* art galleries).
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 visit the art museum tomorrow.
They hope to visit the beach during their vacation.
He wants to visit historical sites in the city.
We decided to visit the national park this summer.
They agreed to visit the zoo together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys visiting new restaurants in town.
They recommend regular visiting of museums for cultural enrichment.
I dislike the idea of visiting crowded places.
He avoids visiting relatives during holidays.
Can you imagine yourself visiting famous landmarks around the world?
