When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bumfuzzle (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bumfuzzle" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to bumfuzzle myself with that complicated task.
Bumfuzzling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "bumfuzzling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Bumfuzzling is a perplexing experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bumfuzzle (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bumfuzzle is not an effective problem-solving strategy.
To bumfuzzle is not an effective problem-solving strategy.
- "*To bumfuzzle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective problem-solving strategy).
- 2Object
She wants me to bumfuzzle her with difficult riddles.
She wants me to bumfuzzle her with difficult riddles.
- "Me *to bumfuzzle* her with difficult riddles" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bumfuzzle* her with difficult riddles).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a clear explanation to bumfuzzle my confusion.
I need a clear explanation to bumfuzzle my confusion.
- "*To bumfuzzle* my confusion" modifies the noun "explanation."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear explanation *to bumfuzzle* my confusion).
Bumfuzzling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Bumfuzzling can lead to frustration and confusion.
Bumfuzzling can lead to frustration and confusion.
- "*Bumfuzzling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (frustration and confusion).
- 2Object
I enjoy bumfuzzling my friends with mind-bending riddles.
I enjoy bumfuzzling my friends with mind-bending riddles.
- "*Bumfuzzling* my friends with mind-bending riddles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bumfuzzling* my friends with mind-bending riddles).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for bumfuzzling people with her confusing explanations.
She has a talent for bumfuzzling people with her confusing explanations.
- "For *bumfuzzling* people with her confusing explanations" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bumfuzzling* people with her confusing explanations).
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 refuses to bumfuzzle himself with unnecessary details.
They attempted to bumfuzzle their opponents with a complex game plan.
She struggles to bumfuzzle through difficult puzzles.
We wish to bumfuzzle our way out of this confusing situation.
He pretends to bumfuzzle others with his misleading statements.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids bumfuzzling himself by seeking clarity in all situations.
They recommend avoiding bumfuzzling others with unnecessary complexity.
Can you imagine the frustration of bumfuzzling yourself with illogical reasoning?
She resists the temptation of bumfuzzling others with misleading information.
I have trouble understanding the purpose of bumfuzzling people.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to bumfuzzle their opponents with unexpected moves. They like bumfuzzling their opponents with unexpected moves.
He started to bumfuzzle his colleagues with complicated theories. He started bumfuzzling his colleagues with complicated theories.
We began to bumfuzzle ourselves with complex puzzles. We began bumfuzzling ourselves with complex puzzles.
