When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bum (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bum" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to bum around and do nothing on my day off.
Bumming (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "bumming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Bumming around all day can be fun.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bum (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bum is not a productive way to spend your time.
To bum is not a productive way to spend your time.
- "*To bum*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not a productive way to spend your time).
- 2Object
She wants me to bum some money from her.
She wants me to bum some money from her.
- "Me *to bum* some money from her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bum* some money from her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a couch to bum on during his visit.
He needs a couch to bum on during his visit.
- "*To bum* on during his visit" modifies the noun "couch."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a couch *to bum* on during his visit).
Bumming (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Bumming is not a productive use of your time.
Bumming is not a productive use of your time.
- "*Bumming*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive use of your time).
- 2Object
I enjoy bumming rides from my friends.
I enjoy bumming rides from my friends.
- "*Bumming* rides from my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bumming* rides from my friends).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for bumming money off people.
He has a talent for bumming money off people.
- "For *bumming* money off people" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bumming* money off people).
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 bum around Europe for a year.
I hope to bum a ride from someone to the party.
She wants to bum some snacks from the vending machine.
We decided to bum around the city instead of going to work.
They agreed to bum some supplies from their neighbor.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys bumming around the mall on weekends.
They recommend bumming a book from the library for a lazy afternoon.
I dislike the idea of bumming off others for money.
He avoids bumming rides from strangers.
Can you imagine yourself bumming around the world with no responsibilities?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to bum on the beach all day. She likes bumming on the beach all day.
We started to bum around after we finished our work. We started bumming around after we finished our work.
He began to bum food from his roommates. He began bumming food from his roommates.
