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To Water vs Watering Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To water (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to water the plants in the garden.

Watering (Gerund)

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

Example

Watering the plants is a relaxing activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To water (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To water the plants is my daily chore.

    To water the plants is my daily chore.

    • "*To water* the plants" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my daily chore).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to water her flowers while she's away.

    She wants me to water her flowers while she's away.

    • "Me *to water* her flowers while she's away" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to water* her flowers while she's away).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I bought a new watering can to water my plants.

    I bought a new watering can to water my plants.

    • "*To water* my plants" modifies the noun "watering can."
    • Noun (I) + verb (bought) + noun phrase (a new watering can *to water* my plants).

Watering (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Watering the plants requires patience and care.

    Watering the plants requires patience and care.

    • "*Watering* the plants" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and care).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy watering the flowers in my backyard.

    I enjoy watering the flowers in my backyard.

    • "*Watering* the flowers in my backyard" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*watering* the flowers in my backyard).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for watering her indoor plants.

    She has a passion for watering her indoor plants.

    • "For *watering* her indoor plants" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *watering* her indoor plants).

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 water the garden tomorrow.

They hope to water their lawn during the weekend.

He wants to water the plants every day.

We decided to water the flowers in the evening.

They agreed to water the garden together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys watering her garden every morning.

They recommend regular watering for healthy plant growth.

I dislike the task of watering plants in the heat.

He avoids watering the plants during rainy days.

Can you imagine yourself watering a large field of flowers?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to water her plants in the evening. She likes watering her plants in the evening.

We started to water our garden regularly. We started watering our garden regularly.

He began to water his indoor plants twice a week. He began watering his indoor plants twice a week.

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