When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To add (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to add" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to add more ingredients to the recipe.
Adding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "adding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Adding sugar to the tea enhances its sweetness.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To add (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To add spices is essential for flavoring the dish.
To add spices is essential for flavoring the dish.
- "*To add* spices" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for flavoring the dish).
- 2Object
She wants me to add the finishing touches to the painting.
She wants me to add the finishing touches to the painting.
- "Me *to add* the finishing touches to the painting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to add* the finishing touches to the painting).
- 3Adverb Modifier
He quickly grabs a pen to add some notes.
He quickly grabs a pen to add some notes.
- "*To add* some notes" modifies the verb "grabs."
- Noun (He) + adverb (quickly) + verb (grabs) + noun phrase (a pen *to add* some notes).
Adding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Adding milk creates a creamy texture in the soup.
Adding milk creates a creamy texture in the soup.
- "*Adding* milk" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (a creamy texture in the soup).
- 2Object
I enjoy adding new flavors to my cooking.
I enjoy adding new flavors to my cooking.
- "*Adding* new flavors to my cooking" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*adding* new flavors to my cooking).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for adding humor to his writing.
He has a talent for adding humor to his writing.
- "For *adding* humor to his writing" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *adding* humor to his writing).
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
We decided to add more details to the plan.
He attempted to add a new feature to the software.
She chose to add a personal touch to the gift.
They learned to add fractions in math class.
I struggled to add the final touches to the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend adding vegetables to your daily diet.
I don't mind adding an extra task to my workload.
She considered adding more examples to her presentation.
He avoids adding unnecessary details to his reports.
We discussed adding a new section to the document.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to add a pinch of salt to the dish. I would like adding a pinch of salt to the dish.
She started to add music to her videos. She started adding music to her videos.
They began to add more details to the design. They began adding more details to the design.
