When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bind (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bind" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to bind the pages of my book together.
Binding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "binding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Binding is an essential part of the bookbinding process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bind (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bind is an important step in bookbinding.
To bind is an important step in bookbinding.
- "*To bind*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in bookbinding).
- 2Object
She wants me to bind her thesis for her.
She wants me to bind her thesis for her.
- "Me *to bind* her thesis for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bind* her thesis for her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a strong glue to bind the pieces together.
He needs a strong glue to bind the pieces together.
- "*To bind* the pieces together" modifies the noun "glue."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong glue *to bind* the pieces together).
Binding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Binding requires precision and skill.
Binding requires precision and skill.
- "*Binding*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and skill).
- 2Object
I enjoy binding my own notebooks.
I enjoy binding my own notebooks.
- "*Binding* my own notebooks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*binding* my own notebooks).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for book binding.
She has a talent for book binding.
- "For book *binding*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for book *binding*).
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 bind the documents into a folder.
They hope to bind the contract before the deadline.
He wants to bind the papers into a booklet.
We decided to bind the files in a binder.
They agreed to bind the reports into a single document.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys binding leather journals.
They recommend using thread for secure binding.
I dislike the process of hardcover binding.
He avoids using glue for binding.
Can you imagine yourself binding your own books?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to bind her notebooks with colorful ribbons. She likes binding her notebooks with colorful ribbons.
We started to bind our own journals. We started binding our own journals.
He began to bind his thesis for submission. He began binding his thesis for submission.
