When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bake (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bake" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to bake a cake for the party.
Baking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "baking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Baking is a fun and creative activity.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bake (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bake requires precise measurements and timing.
To bake requires precise measurements and timing.
- "*To bake*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precise measurements and timing).
- 2Object
She wants me to bake cookies for the bake sale.
She wants me to bake cookies for the bake sale.
- "Me *to bake* cookies for the bake sale" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bake* cookies for the bake sale).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need an oven to bake the bread.
I need an oven to bake the bread.
- "*To bake* the bread" modifies the noun "oven."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an oven *to bake* the bread).
Baking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Baking requires practice and patience.
Baking requires practice and patience.
- "*Baking*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice and patience).
- 2Object
I enjoy baking cookies for my family.
I enjoy baking cookies for my family.
- "*Baking* cookies for my family" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*baking* cookies for my family).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for baking cakes and pastries.
She has a passion for baking cakes and pastries.
- "For *baking* cakes and pastries" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *baking* cakes and pastries).
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 bake a pie for Thanksgiving dinner.
They hope to bake their own bread someday.
He wants to bake a batch of cookies for his friends.
We decided to bake a cake for our anniversary.
They agreed to bake cupcakes for the school event.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys baking bread from scratch.
They recommend baking at a lower temperature for better results.
I dislike the process of baking pies.
He avoids baking with gluten.
Can you imagine yourself baking a three-tiered wedding cake?
