When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To blow (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to blow" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to blow out the candles on my birthday cake.
Blowing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "blowing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Blowing bubbles is a fun activity for children.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To blow (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To blow is an essential skill in playing the flute.
To blow is an essential skill in playing the flute.
- "*To blow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill in playing the flute).
- 2Object
She wants me to blow up the balloons for the party.
She wants me to blow up the balloons for the party.
- "Me *to blow* up the balloons for the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to blow* up the balloons for the party).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a new tire to blow up his bicycle.
He needs a new tire to blow up his bicycle.
- "*To blow* up his bicycle" modifies the noun "tire."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new tire *to blow* up his bicycle).
Blowing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Blowing bubbles requires practice and patience.
Blowing bubbles requires practice and patience.
- "*Blowing* bubbles" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice and patience).
- 2Object
I enjoy blowing dandelion seeds into the wind.
I enjoy blowing dandelion seeds into the wind.
- "*Blowing* dandelion seeds into the wind" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*blowing* dandelion seeds into the wind).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a talent for blowing glass.
They have a talent for blowing glass.
- "For *blowing* glass" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a talent for *blowing* glass).
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 blow up the inflatable pool for the kids.
I hope to blow bubbles at the park tomorrow.
We want to blow the leaves off the driveway.
She decided to blow out the candles together.
He agreed to blow up the air mattress for the guests.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys blowing bubbles in the park.
The instructor recommends blowing into the harmonica softly.
She avoids blowing her nose loudly in public.
Can you imagine yourself blowing out the candles on a huge birthday cake?
They are considering blowing off some steam by going on a vacation.
