When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To appeal (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to appeal" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to appeal the court's decision.
Appealing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "appealing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Appealing for donations is a common practice for non-profit organizations.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To appeal (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To appeal is his last option for justice.
To appeal is his last option for justice.
- "*To appeal*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his last option for justice).
- 2Object
She wants me to appeal on her behalf.
She wants me to appeal on her behalf.
- "Me *to appeal* on her behalf" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to appeal* on her behalf).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a lawyer to appeal the verdict.
We need a lawyer to appeal the verdict.
- "*To appeal* the verdict" modifies the noun "lawyer."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lawyer *to appeal* the verdict).
Appealing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Appealing to the public is their primary fundraising strategy.
Appealing to the public is their primary fundraising strategy.
- "*Appealing* to the public" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their primary fundraising strategy).
- 2Object
I enjoy appealing to people's generosity.
I enjoy appealing to people's generosity.
- "*Appealing* to people's generosity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*appealing* to people's generosity).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for appealing to emotions.
She has a talent for appealing to emotions.
- "For *appealing* to emotions" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *appealing* to emotions).
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 appeal the decision next week.
I hope to appeal for a fair trial.
He wants to appeal the ruling.
We decided to appeal the case to a higher court.
They agreed to appeal the sentence together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys appealing to potential donors.
They recommend appealing to a wider audience.
I dislike the idea of appealing for help.
She avoids appealing to controversial figures.
Can you imagine yourself appealing to a crowd?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to appeal to the public for support. She likes appealing to the public for support.
They started to appeal for donations. They started appealing for donations.
He began to appeal for justice. He began appealing for justice.
