When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To avoid (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to avoid" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to avoid making the same mistake again.
Avoiding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "avoiding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Avoiding conflicts is essential for maintaining peace.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To avoid (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To avoid is important for staying healthy.
To avoid is important for staying healthy.
- "*To avoid*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for staying healthy).
- 2Object
She wants me to avoid eating junk food.
She wants me to avoid eating junk food.
- "Me *to avoid* eating junk food" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to avoid* eating junk food).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a plan to avoid procrastination.
I need a plan to avoid procrastination.
- "*To avoid* procrastination" modifies the noun "plan."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to avoid* procrastination).
Avoiding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Avoiding procrastination requires self-discipline.
Avoiding procrastination requires self-discipline.
- "*Avoiding* procrastination" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (self-discipline).
- 2Object
I enjoy avoiding crowded places.
I enjoy avoiding crowded places.
- "*Avoiding* crowded places" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*avoiding* crowded places).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for avoiding conflicts.
She has a talent for avoiding conflicts.
- "For *avoiding* conflicts" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *avoiding* conflicts).
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 avoid unnecessary expenses.
They hope to avoid any delays in their project.
He wants to avoid conflicts with his colleagues.
We decided to avoid taking unnecessary risks.
They agreed to avoid making the same mistakes.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys avoiding unnecessary stress.
They recommend avoiding processed foods for better health.
I dislike the idea of avoiding social interactions.
Can you imagine avoiding all the traffic during rush hour?
He resists avoiding difficult conversations.
