When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To accommodate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to accommodate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
We need to accommodate all the guests at the wedding venue.
Accommodating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "accommodating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Accommodating different needs is a key aspect of customer service.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To accommodate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To accommodate a large group, we rented a spacious hall.
To accommodate a large group, we rented a spacious hall.
- "*To accommodate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (accommodate) + noun phrase (a large group).
- 2Object
They want us to accommodate their special requests.
They want us to accommodate their special requests.
- "Us *to accommodate* their special requests" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to accommodate* their special requests).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a hotel to accommodate our guests.
We need a hotel to accommodate our guests.
- "*To accommodate* our guests" modifies the noun "hotel."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hotel *to accommodate* our guests).
Accommodating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Accommodating diverse opinions can lead to better decision-making.
Accommodating diverse opinions can lead to better decision-making.
- "*Accommodating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (better decision-making).
- 2Object
I appreciate their accommodating attitude towards my requests.
I appreciate their accommodating attitude towards my requests.
- "Their *accommodating* attitude towards my requests" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (their *accommodating* attitude towards my requests).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for accommodating different personalities.
She has a talent for accommodating different personalities.
- "For *accommodating* different personalities" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *accommodating* different personalities).
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 accommodate all the participants in the conference.
They hope to accommodate everyone's dietary preferences.
He wants to accommodate the client's schedule.
We decided to accommodate the changes in the itinerary.
They agreed to accommodate the additional seating arrangements.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys accommodating her guests' special requests.
They recommend accommodating different learning styles in the classroom.
I dislike the idea of accommodating unreasonable demands.
He avoids accommodating conflicting schedules.
Can you imagine yourself accommodating diverse cultural backgrounds?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to accommodate her clients' needs. She likes accommodating her clients' needs.
We started to accommodate special dietary restrictions. We started accommodating special dietary restrictions.
He began to accommodate the team's preferences. He began accommodating the team's preferences.
