When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To want (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to want" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to swim in the race to improve my speed.
Wanting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "wanting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Wanting to swim is a natural instinct.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To want (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To want to swim is a common desire among many people.
To want to swim is a common desire among many people.
- "*To want to swim*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common desire among many people).
- 2Object
She wants me to swim in the race.
She wants me to swim in the race.
- "Me *to swim* in the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to swim* in the race).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a pool to swim laps.
I need a pool to swim laps.
- "*To swim* laps" modifies the noun "pool."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pool *to swim* laps).
Wanting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Wanting to swim is a common feeling among swimmers.
Wanting to swim is a common feeling among swimmers.
- "*Wanting* to swim" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common feeling among swimmers).
- 2Object
I enjoy wanting to swim in the open water.
I enjoy wanting to swim in the open water.
- "*Wanting* to swim in the open water" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*wanting* to swim in the open water).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for wanting to swim.
She has a passion for wanting to swim.
- "For *wanting* to swim" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *wanting* to swim).
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 swim in the lake tomorrow.
They hope to swim with dolphins during their vacation.
We decided to swim at the beach this weekend.
They agreed to swim in the race together.
He refuses to swim in cold water.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys wanting to swim in the pool every evening.
They recommend regular wanting to swim for better health.
Can you imagine yourself wanting to swim in the ocean?
He avoids wanting to swim in crowded places.
She resists wanting to swim in the early morning.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to want to swim in the ocean. She likes wanting to swim in the ocean.
We started to want to swim competitively. We started wanting to swim competitively.
He began to want to swim every morning. He began wanting to swim every morning.
