When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To wish (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to wish" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I wished to go on a vacation but couldn't afford it.
Wishing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "wishing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Wishing for a better future is common among young people.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To wish (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To wish is a natural human instinct.
To wish is a natural human instinct.
- "*To wish*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural human instinct).
- 2Object
She wants me to wish her a happy birthday.
She wants me to wish her a happy birthday.
- "Me *to wish* her a happy birthday" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wish* her a happy birthday).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a shooting star to wish upon.
I need a shooting star to wish upon.
- "*To wish* upon" modifies the noun "shooting star."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a shooting star *to wish* upon).
Wishing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Wishing for a miracle won't make it happen.
Wishing for a miracle won't make it happen.
- "*Wishing* for a miracle" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (won't) + noun phrase (a miracle).
- 2Object
I enjoy wishing upon a shooting star.
I enjoy wishing upon a shooting star.
- "*Wishing* upon a shooting star" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*wishing* upon a shooting star).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of wishing for good luck.
She has a habit of wishing for good luck.
- "Of *wishing* for good luck" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *wishing* for good luck).
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
They hoped to wish for good luck in the lottery.
We planned to wish upon a falling star during our camping trip.
He refused to wish his ex-girlfriend a happy birthday.
She chose to wish for a successful career.
They determined to wish for world peace.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like wishing upon a full moon.
They started wishing for success in their new business venture.
He began wishing for happiness in his life.
We continue wishing for a better world.
She intends wishing for good health and happiness for her loved ones.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys to wish for good fortune. She enjoys wishing for good fortune.
We started to wish for a brighter future. We started wishing for a brighter future.
He began to wish for peace on earth. He began wishing for peace on earth.
