When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To broaden (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to broaden" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to broaden my horizons by traveling to different countries.
Broadening (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "broadening" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Broadening your horizons can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To broaden (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To broaden your knowledge, you should read books from various genres.
To broaden your knowledge, you should read books from various genres.
- "*To broaden* your knowledge" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (should) + verb phrase (read books from various genres).
- 2Object
She wants me to broaden my skills in digital marketing.
She wants me to broaden my skills in digital marketing.
- "Me *to broaden* my skills in digital marketing" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to broaden* my skills in digital marketing).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a new challenge to broaden my horizons.
I need a new challenge to broaden my horizons.
- "*To broaden* my horizons" modifies the noun "challenge."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new challenge *to broaden* my horizons).
Broadening (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Broadening your skill set is essential in today's competitive job market.
Broadening your skill set is essential in today's competitive job market.
- "*Broadening* your skill set" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in today's competitive job market).
- 2Object
I enjoy broadening my perspectives through reading diverse literature.
I enjoy broadening my perspectives through reading diverse literature.
- "*Broadening* my perspectives through reading diverse literature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*broadening* my perspectives through reading diverse literature).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for broadening her knowledge.
She has a passion for broadening her knowledge.
- "For *broadening* her knowledge" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *broadening* her knowledge).
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 broaden her perspective by studying abroad next year.
They hope to broaden their network through attending professional conferences.
He wants to broaden his understanding of different cultures.
We decided to broaden our skills by taking online courses.
They agreed to broaden their knowledge by conducting research.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys broadening her cultural understanding through traveling.
They recommend regular broadening of skills for career advancement.
I dislike the idea of broadening my horizons through extreme sports.
He avoids broadening his perspectives by sticking to familiar routines.
Can you imagine yourself broadening your knowledge by learning a new language?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to broaden her experiences by trying new activities. She likes broadening her experiences by trying new activities.
We started to broaden our network by attending networking events. We started broadening our network by attending networking events.
He began to broaden his skill set through online courses. He began broadening his skill set through online courses.
