When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To accelerate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to accelerate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to accelerate my learning process.
Accelerating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "accelerating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Accelerating your progress requires dedication and hard work.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To accelerate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To accelerate is the key to success in this competitive world.
To accelerate is the key to success in this competitive world.
- "*To accelerate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the key to success in this competitive world).
- 2Object
She wants me to accelerate the project timeline.
She wants me to accelerate the project timeline.
- "Me *to accelerate* the project timeline" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to accelerate* the project timeline).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a strategy to accelerate my career growth.
I need a strategy to accelerate my career growth.
- "*To accelerate* my career growth" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to accelerate* my career growth).
Accelerating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Accelerating the development process is crucial for meeting deadlines.
Accelerating the development process is crucial for meeting deadlines.
- "*Accelerating* the development process" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for meeting deadlines).
- 2Object
I enjoy accelerating my learning through practical experience.
I enjoy accelerating my learning through practical experience.
- "*Accelerating* my learning through practical experience" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*accelerating* my learning through practical experience).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for accelerating innovation in the industry.
She has a passion for accelerating innovation in the industry.
- "For *accelerating* innovation in the industry" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *accelerating* innovation in the industry).
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 accelerate the production process next month.
They hope to accelerate their weight loss journey.
He wants to accelerate his business expansion.
We decided to accelerate the implementation of the new system.
They agreed to accelerate the construction project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys accelerating her progress in the gym.
They recommend accelerating the marketing campaign for better results.
I dislike the idea of accelerating the decision-making process.
He avoids accelerating conflicts in the workplace.
Can you imagine yourself accelerating towards your goals?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to accelerate her personal growth. She likes accelerating her personal growth.
We started to accelerate the project timeline. We started accelerating the project timeline.
He began to accelerate his learning process. He began accelerating his learning process.
