When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To call (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to call" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to call my friend to catch up.
Calling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "calling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Calling is a convenient way to communicate.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To call (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To call is a common way to communicate with others.
To call is a common way to communicate with others.
- "*To call*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common way to communicate with others).
- 2Object
She wants me to call her later.
She wants me to call her later.
- "Me *to call* her later" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to call* her later).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a new phone to call my clients.
I need a new phone to call my clients.
- "*To call* my clients" modifies the noun "phone."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new phone *to call* my clients).
Calling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Calling can be done using a phone or a computer.
Calling can be done using a phone or a computer.
- "*Calling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be done) + noun phrase (using a phone or a computer).
- 2Object
I enjoy calling my friends to chat.
I enjoy calling my friends to chat.
- "*Calling* my friends to chat" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*calling* my friends to chat).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of calling her family every day.
She has a habit of calling her family every day.
- "Of *calling* her family every day" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *calling* her family every day).
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 call his parents tonight.
We hope to call the customer service for assistance.
They want to call a meeting to discuss the issue.
She decided to call off the event due to bad weather.
They agreed to call a truce and end the conflict.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys calling his grandparents on weekends.
The doctor recommends calling for medical advice.
They avoid calling during late hours.
Can you imagine calling someone without a phone?
She is considering calling off the trip due to the weather.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to call my family every day. I like calling my family every day.
He started to call his friends more often. He started calling his friends more often.
We began to call each other regularly. We began calling each other regularly.
