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
He wants to amaze the audience with his magic tricks.
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 people with his talent is his passion.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To amaze (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To amaze is his ultimate goal in life.
To amaze is his ultimate goal in life.
- "*To amaze*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal in life).
- 2Object
She wants me to amaze the guests at the party.
She wants me to amaze the guests at the party.
- "Me *to amaze* the guests at the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to amaze* the guests at the party).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a new trick to amaze the audience.
He needs a new trick to amaze the audience.
- "*To amaze* the audience" modifies the noun "trick."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new trick *to amaze* the audience).
Amazing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Amazing others is a fulfilling experience.
Amazing others is a fulfilling experience.
- "*Amazing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fulfilling experience).
- 2Object
I enjoy amazing my friends with my cooking skills.
I enjoy amazing my friends with my cooking skills.
- "*Amazing* my friends with my cooking skills" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*amazing* my friends with my cooking skills).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for amazing people.
She has a talent for amazing people.
- "For *amazing* people" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + 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 plan to amaze the judges with their performance.
I hope to amaze everyone with my singing talent.
She wants to amaze the world with her artistic skills.
We decided to amaze the audience with our dance routine.
They agreed to amaze the crowd with their acrobatic stunts.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys amazing the audience with his magic tricks.
They recommend amazing experiences for a memorable vacation.
She dislikes the idea of amazing others for personal gain.
I avoid amazing people with my knowledge to avoid jealousy.
Can you imagine yourself amazing the world with your talent?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to amaze her friends with her singing. She likes amazing her friends with her singing.
He started to amaze audiences at a young age. He started amazing audiences at a young age.
They began to amaze the world with their inventions. They began amazing the world with their inventions.
