When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To blab (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to blab" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to blab about our secret plans.
Blabbing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "blabbing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Blabbing about others can damage relationships.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To blab (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To blab would be a betrayal of trust.
To blab would be a betrayal of trust.
- "*To blab*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a betrayal of trust).
- 2Object
He wants me to blab our secret to everyone.
He wants me to blab our secret to everyone.
- "Me *to blab* our secret to everyone" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to blab* our secret to everyone).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a trustworthy friend to blab to.
She needs a trustworthy friend to blab to.
- "*To blab* to" modifies the noun "friend."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a trustworthy friend *to blab* to).
Blabbing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Blabbing is not a good habit.
Blabbing is not a good habit.
- "*Blabbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good habit).
- 2Object
She enjoys blabbing about her friends' secrets.
She enjoys blabbing about her friends' secrets.
- "*Blabbing* about her friends' secrets" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*blabbing* about her friends' secrets).
- 3Object of Preposition
He got caught blabbing to the wrong person.
He got caught blabbing to the wrong person.
- "*Blabbing* to the wrong person" is the object of the preposition "to."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (got caught) + noun phrase (*blabbing* to the wrong person).
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
They plan to blab their secret to the world.
We hope to blab about our exciting news soon.
He wants to blab the gossip to everyone.
She decided to blab the truth to her parents.
They agreed to blab their secret to each other.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid blabbing sensitive information to others.
I recommend blabbing less and listening more.
Do you mind me blabbing about our plans?
She is considering blabbing the news to the press.
He postponed blabbing until he had more information.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to blab juicy gossip. She likes blabbing about her coworkers.
We started to blab about our adventures. They started blabbing about their personal lives.
He began to blab the secret to his best friend. He began blabbing the rumor to everyone.
