When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To adopt (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to adopt" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
They decided to adopt a rescue dog from the shelter.
Adopting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "adopting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Adopting a sustainable lifestyle is important for the environment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To adopt (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To adopt is a selfless act of kindness.
To adopt is a selfless act of kindness.
- "*To adopt*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a selfless act of kindness).
- 2Object
She wants me to adopt a cat with her.
She wants me to adopt a cat with her.
- "Me *to adopt* a cat with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to adopt* a cat with her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a bigger house to adopt more pets.
He needs a bigger house to adopt more pets.
- "*To adopt* more pets" modifies the noun "house."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a bigger house *to adopt* more pets).
Adopting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Adopting new habits can be challenging at first.
Adopting new habits can be challenging at first.
- "*Adopting* new habits" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (challenging at first).
- 2Object
I enjoy adopting rescue animals.
I enjoy adopting rescue animals.
- "*Adopting* rescue animals" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*adopting* rescue animals).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are passionate about adopting sustainable practices.
They are passionate about adopting sustainable practices.
- "About *adopting* sustainable practices" is the object of the preposition "about."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + preposition (about) + gerund (*adopting* sustainable practices).
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 adopt a child in the future.
We hope to adopt a puppy from the local shelter.
She wants to adopt a baby from a different country.
He decided to adopt a plant-based diet for health reasons.
They agreed to adopt environmentally-friendly practices in their business.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys adopting new technologies for a greener future.
Experts recommend adopting a plant-based diet for better health.
I am considering adopting a minimalist lifestyle.
He avoids adopting harmful habits that harm the environment.
Can you imagine yourself adopting a zero-waste lifestyle?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to adopt children from different cultures. They like adopting stray animals.
We started to adopt sustainable practices in our daily lives. We started adopting healthier eating habits.
He began to adopt a positive mindset towards life. He began adopting eco-friendly habits.
