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 confrontation is often seen as a sign of maturity.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To avoid (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To avoid is essential in preventing accidents.
To avoid is essential in preventing accidents.
- "*To avoid*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (in preventing accidents).
- 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 strategy to avoid procrastination.
I need a strategy to avoid procrastination.
- "*To avoid* procrastination" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to avoid* procrastination).
Avoiding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Avoiding conflicts can lead to better relationships.
Avoiding conflicts can lead to better relationships.
- "*Avoiding* conflicts" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (better relationships).
- 2Object
I enjoy avoiding rush hour traffic.
I enjoy avoiding rush hour traffic.
- "*Avoiding* rush hour traffic" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*avoiding* rush hour traffic).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of avoiding responsibility.
She has a fear of avoiding responsibility.
- "Of *avoiding* responsibility" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *avoiding* responsibility).
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 this month.
They hope to avoid traffic on their way to work.
He wants to avoid any conflicts with his colleagues.
We decided to avoid taking risks in our business.
They agreed to avoid making hasty decisions.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys avoiding crowded places during the holidays.
They recommend avoiding processed foods for a healthy diet.
I dislike the idea of avoiding challenges in life.
Do you mind avoiding using your phone during the meeting?
Can you imagine avoiding social media for a week?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to avoid conflicts at all costs. She likes avoiding conflicts at all costs.
We started to avoid sugary drinks for better health. We started avoiding sugary drinks for better health.
He began to avoid staying up late. He began avoiding staying up late.
