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 wish to travel the world someday.
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 upon a shooting star is considered lucky.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To wish (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To wish is a natural human desire.
To wish is a natural human desire.
- "*To wish*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural human desire).
- 2Object
She wants me to wish her luck.
She wants me to wish her luck.
- "Me *to wish* her luck" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wish* her luck).
- 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 is a common practice during the holiday season.
Wishing is a common practice during the holiday season.
- "*Wishing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice during the holiday season).
- 2Object
I enjoy wishing for others' happiness.
I enjoy wishing for others' happiness.
- "*Wishing* for others' happiness" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*wishing* for others' happiness).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for wishing good luck.
She has a talent for wishing good luck.
- "For *wishing* good luck" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *wishing* 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
She plans to wish for a better future.
They hope to wish upon a falling star tonight.
He wants to wish for happiness and success.
We decided to wish for world peace.
They agreed to wish for good health.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys wishing for a bright future.
They recommend wishing on a shooting star for good fortune.
I dislike the idea of wishing for material possessions.
He avoids wishing ill will upon others.
Can you imagine wishing for world peace?
