When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To activate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to activate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to activate my new phone.
Activating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "activating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Activating the device is a simple process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To activate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To activate your account, please click the link in the email.
To activate your account, please click the link in the email.
- "*To activate* your account" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (your account).
- 2Object
She wants me to activate the security system.
She wants me to activate the security system.
- "Me *to activate* the security system" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to activate* the security system).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a code to activate the alarm.
We need a code to activate the alarm.
- "*To activate* the alarm" modifies the noun "code."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a code *to activate* the alarm).
Activating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Activating your membership requires filling out a form.
Activating your membership requires filling out a form.
- "*Activating* your membership" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (filling out a form).
- 2Object
I enjoy activating new features on my phone.
I enjoy activating new features on my phone.
- "*Activating* new features on my phone" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*activating* new features on my phone).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a knack for activating people's interest in a topic.
He has a knack for activating people's interest in a topic.
- "For *activating* people's interest in a topic" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *activating* people's interest in a topic).
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
He plans to activate the software tomorrow.
They hope to activate the new features of the app soon.
I want to activate the auto-reply function on my email.
She decided to activate the emergency alarm system.
They agreed to activate the new settings together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys activating the security system before leaving the house.
They recommend activating the app's notifications for timely updates.
I dislike the process of activating new devices.
He avoids activating unnecessary features on his computer.
Can you imagine yourself activating the advanced settings of a robot?
