When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To adjourn (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to adjourn" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The meeting was adjourned to discuss the matter further.
Adjourning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "adjourning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Adjourning the meeting was a necessary step.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To adjourn (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To adjourn is a common practice in parliamentary proceedings.
To adjourn is a common practice in parliamentary proceedings.
- "*To adjourn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in parliamentary proceedings).
- 2Object
They decided to adjourn the meeting early.
They decided to adjourn the meeting early.
- "*To adjourn* the meeting early" is the object of the verb "decided."
- Noun (They) + verb (decided) + noun phrase (*to adjourn* the meeting early).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a larger room to adjourn the meeting.
We need a larger room to adjourn the meeting.
- "*To adjourn* the meeting" modifies the noun "room."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a larger room *to adjourn* the meeting).
Adjourning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Adjourning the meeting early was unexpected.
Adjourning the meeting early was unexpected.
- "*Adjourning* the meeting early" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (unexpected).
- 2Object
I appreciate adjourning the session earlier.
I appreciate adjourning the session earlier.
- "*Adjourning* the session earlier" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*adjourning* the session earlier).
- 3Object of Preposition
She had no choice but adjourning the meeting.
She had no choice but adjourning the meeting.
- "No choice but *adjourning* the meeting" is the object of the preposition "but."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (had) + noun phrase (no choice but *adjourning* the meeting).
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
They plan to adjourn the session for lunch.
I hope to adjourn the meeting on time.
He wants to adjourn the hearing until next week.
We decided to adjourn the conference early.
They agreed to adjourn the debate for further research.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy adjourning the meeting on time.
I recommend adjourning the discussion for further research.
He avoids adjourning the meeting without proper notice.
We are considering adjourning the session early.
They postponed adjourning the hearing until next month.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to adjourn the meeting promptly. She likes adjourning the meeting promptly.
We started to adjourn the sessions earlier. We started adjourning the sessions earlier.
He began to adjourn the meetings after lunch. He began adjourning the meetings after lunch.
