When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To eat (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to eat" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to eat pizza for dinner.
Eating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "eating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Eating healthy can improve your overall well-being.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To eat (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To eat healthy is important for maintaining a balanced diet.
To eat healthy is important for maintaining a balanced diet.
- "*To eat* healthy" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for maintaining a balanced diet).
- 2Object
She wants me to eat the cake she baked.
She wants me to eat the cake she baked.
- "Me *to eat* the cake she baked" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to eat* the cake she baked).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a fork to eat my salad.
I need a fork to eat my salad.
- "*To eat* my salad" modifies the noun "fork."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fork *to eat* my salad).
Eating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health.
Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health.
- "*Eating* fruits and vegetables" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (good for your health).
- 2Object
I enjoy eating ice cream on hot summer days.
I enjoy eating ice cream on hot summer days.
- "*Eating* ice cream on hot summer days" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*eating* ice cream on hot summer days).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a craving for eating chocolate.
She has a craving for eating chocolate.
- "For *eating* chocolate" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a craving for *eating* chocolate).
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 eat sushi for lunch tomorrow.
They hope to eat at their favorite restaurant tonight.
He wants to eat a burger for dinner.
We decided to eat at the new Italian restaurant.
They agreed to eat vegetarian meals during the week.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys eating pizza on weekends.
They recommend eating a balanced breakfast every morning.
I dislike the idea of eating spicy food.
He avoids eating fast food for better health.
Can you imagine yourself eating exotic cuisine?
