When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To win (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to win" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I hope to win the competition and receive a prize.
Winning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "winning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Winning is a great feeling of accomplishment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To win (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To win requires hard work and dedication.
To win requires hard work and dedication.
- "*To win*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
- 2Object
She wants me to win the game for our team.
She wants me to win the game for our team.
- "Me *to win* the game for our team" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to win* the game for our team).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a strategy to win the race.
He needs a strategy to win the race.
- "*To win* the race" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strategy *to win* the race).
Winning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Winning requires skill and perseverance.
Winning requires skill and perseverance.
- "*Winning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and perseverance).
- 2Object
They enjoy winning competitions and receiving medals.
They enjoy winning competitions and receiving medals.
- "*Winning* competitions and receiving medals" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*winning* competitions and receiving medals).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for winning.
He has a passion for winning.
- "For *winning*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *winning*).
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 plan to win the championship next year.
I hope to win the lottery one day.
She wants to win the award for best actress.
He decided to win the match by using a new tactic.
We agreed to win the game as a team.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys winning races and setting new records.
They recommend winning as the ultimate goal in sports.
I dislike the feeling of losing more than winning.
He avoids winning at all costs, as he believes it brings unnecessary pressure.
Can you imagine the excitement of winning a gold medal?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to win every game he plays. He likes winning every game he plays.
We started to win more matches after changing our strategy. We started winning more matches after changing our strategy.
She began to win competitions at a young age. She began winning competitions at a young age.
