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To Immortalise vs Immortalising 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 immortalise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to immortalise this moment in a photograph.

Immortalising (Gerund)

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

Example

Immortalising a person through art is a way to honor their memory.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To immortalise (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To immortalise a person is to capture their essence.

    To immortalise a person is to capture their essence.

    • "*To immortalise* a person" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a person) + verb (to immortalise) + possessive pronoun (their) + noun (essence).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to immortalise her in a painting.

    She wants me to immortalise her in a painting.

    • "Me *to immortalise* her in a painting" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to immortalise* her in a painting).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a camera to immortalise his memories.

    He needs a camera to immortalise his memories.

    • "*To immortalise* his memories" modifies the noun "camera."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a camera *to immortalise* his memories).

Immortalising (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Immortalising people through photographs is my passion.

    Immortalising people through photographs is my passion.

    • "*Immortalising* people through photographs" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (people) + prepositional phrase (through photographs).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy immortalising nature in my paintings.

    I enjoy immortalising nature in my paintings.

    • "*Immortalising* nature in my paintings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*immortalising* nature in my paintings).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for immortalising emotions.

    She has a talent for immortalising emotions.

    • "For *immortalising* emotions" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *immortalising* emotions).

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 immortalise their love in a photo shoot.

I hope to immortalise this beautiful sunset in a painting.

We want to immortalise our family gathering in a photograph.

She decided to immortalise the moment on canvas.

They agreed to immortalise the event in a video.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys immortalising moments in black and white photographs.

They recommend immortalising important events in a video.

I dislike the idea of immortalising myself in a sculpture.

She avoids immortalising people without their consent.

Can you imagine immortalising your loved ones through art?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to immortalise memories in her photography. She likes immortalising memories in her photography.

He started to immortalise his travels in a journal. He started immortalising his travels in a journal.

They began to immortalise their experiences in a documentary. They began immortalising their experiences in a documentary.

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