When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To announce (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to announce" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to announce the winner of the competition.
Announcing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "announcing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Announcing the winner is an exciting moment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To announce (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To announce the news is her responsibility.
To announce the news is her responsibility.
- "*To announce* the news" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (her responsibility).
- 2Object
He asked me to announce the meeting time.
He asked me to announce the meeting time.
- "Me *to announce* the meeting time" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to announce* the meeting time).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a microphone to announce the event.
They need a microphone to announce the event.
- "*To announce* the event" modifies the noun "microphone."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a microphone *to announce* the event).
Announcing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Announcing the decision was challenging for him.
Announcing the decision was challenging for him.
- "*Announcing* the decision" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (challenging for him).
- 2Object
I enjoy announcing the names of the graduates.
I enjoy announcing the names of the graduates.
- "*Announcing* the names of the graduates" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*announcing* the names of the graduates).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for announcing important news.
She has a talent for announcing important news.
- "For *announcing* important news" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *announcing* important news).
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 announce the new policy next week.
She hopes to announce the winner soon.
They plan to announce the concert date tomorrow.
We agreed to announce the results together.
He wants to announce his resignation at the meeting.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids announcing bad news to the public.
They recommend announcing the changes in advance.
Can you imagine yourself announcing on live television?
She resisted announcing her decision until the right moment.
They are considering announcing their engagement soon.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to announce the winners of the competition. She likes announcing the winners of the competition.
We started to announce our new project. We started announcing our new project.
He began to announce the game schedule. He began announcing the game schedule.
