When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To amaze (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to amaze" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
Her talent to amaze the audience is remarkable.
Amazing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "amazing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Amazing the audience is her specialty.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To amaze (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To amaze is his ultimate goal as a magician.
To amaze is his ultimate goal as a magician.
- "*To amaze*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal as a magician).
- 2Object
I want him to amaze everyone with his performance.
I want him to amaze everyone with his performance.
- "Him *to amaze* everyone with his performance" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (I) + verb (want) + noun phrase (him *to amaze* everyone with his performance).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a new trick to amaze the audience.
She needs a new trick to amaze the audience.
- "*To amaze* the audience" modifies the noun "trick."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new trick *to amaze* the audience).
Amazing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Amazing people with her voice is her passion.
Amazing people with her voice is her passion.
- "*Amazing* people with her voice" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (her passion).
- 2Object
I enjoy amazing others with my artwork.
I enjoy amazing others with my artwork.
- "*Amazing* others with my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*amazing* others with my artwork).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for amazing people.
He has a talent for amazing people.
- "For *amazing* people" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *amazing* people).
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 decided to amaze the judges with their dance routine.
I hope to amaze the crowd with my singing talent.
He refused to amaze the audience with his magic tricks.
We chose to amaze the viewers with our acrobatic stunts.
The audience demanded to amaze them with a spectacular performance.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys amazing the audience with her magic tricks.
Experts recommend amazing your customers with exceptional service.
I don't mind amazing people with my cooking skills.
They avoid amazing others with their achievements.
It's hard to understand how she keeps amazing everyone with her performances.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to amaze their fans with thrilling performances. They like amazing their fans with thrilling performances.
He started to amaze audiences at a young age. He started amazing audiences at a young age.
She began to amaze the world with her artistic talents. She began amazing the world with her artistic talents.
