When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To baw (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to baw" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to baw at the concert to show my support.
Bawing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "bawing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Bawing is a cathartic way to release emotions.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To baw (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To baw is a unique way of expressing emotions.
To baw is a unique way of expressing emotions.
- "*To baw*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a unique way of expressing emotions).
- 2Object
She wants me to baw at her graduation ceremony.
She wants me to baw at her graduation ceremony.
- "Me *to baw* at her graduation ceremony" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to baw* at her graduation ceremony).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a tissue to baw into.
I need a tissue to baw into.
- "*To baw* into" modifies the noun "tissue."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tissue *to baw* into).
Bawing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Bawing can be therapeutic for some people.
Bawing can be therapeutic for some people.
- "*Bawing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (therapeutic) + noun phrase (for some people).
- 2Object
I enjoy bawing during sad movies.
I enjoy bawing during sad movies.
- "*Bawing* during sad movies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bawing* during sad movies).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of bawing in public.
She has a fear of bawing in public.
- "Of *bawing* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *bawing* in public).
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 baw at the movie premiere tonight.
They hope to baw with joy when they receive good news.
He wants to baw in the theater after the performance.
We decided to baw during the emotional scene.
They agreed to baw together during the song.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys bawing alone in her room.
They recommend bawing as a form of emotional release.
I dislike the sound of bawing in public places.
He avoids bawing in front of others.
Can you imagine yourself bawing in a crowded theater?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to baw when she's feeling overwhelmed. She likes bawing as a way to let out her feelings.
We started to baw after hearing the heartbreaking news. We started bawing uncontrollably upon receiving the devastating news.
He began to baw as soon as he saw the touching scene. He began bawing when he realized the impact of the situation.
