When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To break (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to break" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to break free from my routine and travel the world.
Breaking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "breaking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Breaking the rules can have serious consequences.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To break (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To break the news to her gently, he chose his words carefully.
To break the news to her gently, he chose his words carefully.
- "*To break* the news to her gently" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (the news) + noun phrase (to her gently).
- 2Object
She wants me to break the record in the upcoming competition.
She wants me to break the record in the upcoming competition.
- "Me *to break* the record in the upcoming competition" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to break* the record in the upcoming competition).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a hammer to break the glass.
I need a hammer to break the glass.
- "*To break* the glass" modifies the noun "hammer."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hammer *to break* the glass).
Breaking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Breaking the rules is not advisable.
Breaking the rules is not advisable.
- "*Breaking* the rules" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not advisable).
- 2Object
I enjoy breaking the monotony with spontaneous adventures.
I enjoy breaking the monotony with spontaneous adventures.
- "*Breaking* the monotony" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*breaking* the monotony).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for breaking records.
She has a knack for breaking records.
- "For *breaking* records" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *breaking* records).
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
He plans to break the bad news to his parents tomorrow.
They hope to break the world record in the marathon race.
She wants to break free from her monotonous job.
We decided to break the tradition and do something different.
They agreed to break the tie and declare a winner.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys breaking the rules and pushing boundaries.
They recommend regular exercise for breaking bad habits.
I dislike the idea of breaking someone's heart.
She avoids breaking the law at all costs.
Can you imagine breaking the world record in swimming?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to break free from their routine once in a while. They like breaking the rules and challenging norms.
We started to break the silence by sharing our experiences. We started breaking the ice by telling jokes.
He began to break the news to his family. He began breaking the news to his family.
