When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To abscond (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to abscond" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The thief attempted to abscond with the stolen jewels.
Absconding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "absconding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Absconding is a serious offense.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To abscond (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To abscond would be a foolish decision.
To abscond would be a foolish decision.
- "*To abscond*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a foolish decision).
- 2Object
He wants me to abscond with him.
He wants me to abscond with him.
- "Me *to abscond* with him" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to abscond* with him).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a getaway car to abscond safely.
She needs a getaway car to abscond safely.
- "*To abscond* safely" modifies the noun "getaway car."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a getaway car *to abscond* safely).
Absconding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Absconding is punishable by law.
Absconding is punishable by law.
- "*Absconding*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (punishable by law).
- 2Object
I enjoy absconding from reality through books.
I enjoy absconding from reality through books.
- "*Absconding* from reality through books" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*absconding* from reality through books).
- 3Object of Preposition
She admitted to absconding with the company's funds.
She admitted to absconding with the company's funds.
- "To *absconding* with the company's funds" is the object of the preposition "to."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (admitted) + preposition (to) + gerund (*absconding* with the company's funds).
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
The criminals plan to abscond with the money in the middle of the night.
He refused to abscond with his partner.
They chose to abscond from the scene of the crime.
She pretended to abscond with the valuable artifact.
He learned to abscond without leaving any traces.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids absconding from his responsibilities.
She finished her job before absconding from the office.
They are considering absconding to a different country.
I recommend absconding from dangerous situations.
Can you understand the motives behind absconding?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to abscond with a large sum of money. I would like absconding from this boring party.
They started to abscond after the alarm went off. They started absconding once they realized they were being followed.
He began to abscond with classified documents. He began absconding with important files.
