When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To accustom (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to accustom" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to accustom myself to waking up early.
Accustoming (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "accustoming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Accustoming oneself to change can be challenging.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To accustom (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To accustom oneself to change is necessary for personal growth.
To accustom oneself to change is necessary for personal growth.
- "*To accustom* oneself to change" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (necessary for personal growth).
- 2Object
She wants me to accustom myself to the new environment.
She wants me to accustom myself to the new environment.
- "Me *to accustom* myself to the new environment" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to accustom* myself to the new environment).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a few weeks to accustom myself to the new schedule.
I need a few weeks to accustom myself to the new schedule.
- "*To accustom* myself to the new schedule" modifies the noun "weeks."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a few weeks *to accustom* myself to the new schedule).
Accustoming (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Accustoming oneself to new surroundings is important when traveling.
Accustoming oneself to new surroundings is important when traveling.
- "*Accustoming* oneself to new surroundings" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important when traveling).
- 2Object
I enjoy accustoming myself to different cultures.
I enjoy accustoming myself to different cultures.
- "*Accustoming* myself to different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*accustoming* myself to different cultures).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for accustoming herself to new challenges.
She has a passion for accustoming herself to new challenges.
- "For *accustoming* herself to new challenges" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *accustoming* herself to new challenges).
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 accustom herself to the new job responsibilities.
They hope to accustom themselves to the different time zone.
He wants to accustom himself to the cold weather.
We decided to accustom ourselves to the new eating habits.
They agreed to accustom themselves to the strict rules.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys accustoming herself to new experiences.
They recommend accustoming oneself to different cuisines.
I dislike the idea of accustoming myself to a strict routine.
He avoids accustoming himself to toxic environments.
Can you imagine yourself accustoming to a new language?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to accustom herself to new challenges. She likes accustoming herself to new challenges.
We started to accustom ourselves to the new technology. We started accustoming ourselves to the new technology.
He began to accustom himself to the fast-paced environment. He began accustoming himself to the fast-paced environment.
