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 is always exciting.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To visit (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To visit is a great way to learn about different cultures.
To visit is a great way to learn about different cultures.
- "*To visit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to learn about different cultures).
- 2Object
She wants me to visit her new house.
She wants me to visit her new house.
- "Me *to visit* her new house" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to visit* her new house).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a map to visit all the famous landmarks.
I need a map to visit all the famous landmarks.
- "*To visit* all the famous landmarks" modifies the noun "map."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a map *to visit* all the famous landmarks).
Visiting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Visiting historical sites is a popular tourist activity.
Visiting historical sites is a popular tourist activity.
- "*Visiting* historical sites" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular tourist activity).
- 2Object
I enjoy visiting art museums.
I enjoy visiting art museums.
- "*Visiting* art museums" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*visiting* art museums).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for visiting new cities.
She has a passion for visiting new cities.
- "For *visiting* new cities" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *visiting* new cities).
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 Paris next year.
They hope to visit the museum during their trip.
He wants to visit his favorite restaurant.
We decided to visit the national park this summer.
They agreed to visit the art gallery together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys visiting local markets during her travels.
They recommend visiting historical landmarks for a better understanding of the culture.
I dislike the idea of visiting crowded tourist attractions.
He avoids visiting touristy areas.
Can you imagine yourself visiting ancient ruins?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to visit new restaurants in town. She likes visiting new restaurants in town.
We started to visit historical sites. We started visiting historical sites.
He began to visit art galleries. He began visiting art galleries.
