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To Bare vs Baring 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 bare (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refused to bare his soul to anyone.

Baring (Gerund)

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

Example

Baring your soul requires courage and vulnerability.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bare (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To bare your emotions can be liberating.

    To bare your emotions can be liberating.

    • "*To bare* your emotions" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (liberating).
  • 2Object

    She wants him to bare his secrets.

    She wants him to bare his secrets.

    • "Him *to bare* his secrets" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to bare* his secrets).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a safe space to bare my thoughts.

    I need a safe space to bare my thoughts.

    • "*To bare* my thoughts" modifies the noun "space."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a safe space *to bare* my thoughts).

Baring (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Baring your teeth can be a sign of aggression.

    Baring your teeth can be a sign of aggression.

    • "*Baring* your teeth" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of aggression).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy baring my emotions through art.

    I enjoy baring my emotions through art.

    • "*Baring* my emotions through art" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*baring* my emotions through art).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for baring her soul in her music.

    She has a talent for baring her soul in her music.

    • "For *baring* her soul in her music" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *baring* her soul in her music).

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 decided to bare their souls to each other.

He attempted to bare his feelings but couldn't find the right words.

She pretended to bare her true self, but deep down she was hiding something.

We determined to bare the truth, no matter the consequences.

They struggled to bare their vulnerabilities in front of others.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids baring his true feelings to others.

They considered baring their innermost thoughts in the therapy session.

I recommend baring your soul to someone you trust.

Do you mind baring your soul in front of strangers?

Can you imagine baring your deepest secrets to the world?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to bare her emotions in her writing. She likes baring her emotions in her writing.

We started to bare our souls to each other. We started baring our souls to each other.

He began to bare his vulnerabilities to his therapist. He began baring his vulnerabilities to his therapist.

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