When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To appetize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to appetize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to appetize my guests with a delicious meal.
Appetizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "appetizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Appetizing food can make any meal enjoyable.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To appetize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To appetize is the goal of every chef.
To appetize is the goal of every chef.
- "*To appetize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every chef).
- 2Object
She wants me to appetize her friends at the party.
She wants me to appetize her friends at the party.
- "Me *to appetize* her friends at the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to appetize* her friends at the party).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a recipe to appetize my guests.
I need a recipe to appetize my guests.
- "*To appetize* my guests" modifies the noun "recipe."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a recipe *to appetize* my guests).
Appetizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Appetizing is an important aspect of cooking.
Appetizing is an important aspect of cooking.
- "*Appetizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important aspect of cooking).
- 2Object
I enjoy appetizing my guests with delicious dishes.
I enjoy appetizing my guests with delicious dishes.
- "*Appetizing* my guests with delicious dishes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*appetizing* my guests with delicious dishes).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for appetizing even the pickiest eaters.
She has a talent for appetizing even the pickiest eaters.
- "For *appetizing* even the pickiest eaters" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *appetizing* even the pickiest eaters).
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
She plans to appetize her guests with a five-course meal.
They hope to appetize everyone with their new restaurant menu.
He wants to appetize the customers with creative food presentations.
We decided to appetize our guests with a themed dinner party.
They agreed to appetize the attendees with a variety of appetizers.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys appetizing people with her culinary skills.
They recommend using fresh ingredients for appetizing meals.
I dislike the idea of appetizing others with unhealthy food.
He avoids appetizing his guests with overly spicy dishes.
Can you imagine appetizing a crowd with your cooking?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to appetize her guests with unique flavors. She likes appetizing her guests with unique flavors.
We started to appetize our customers with a new menu. We started appetizing our customers with a new menu.
He began to appetize his family with homemade desserts. He began appetizing his family with homemade desserts.
