When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To carry (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to carry" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to carry the groceries for you.
Carrying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "carrying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Carrying heavy objects can lead to back pain.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To carry (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To carry heavy bags can be tiring.
To carry heavy bags can be tiring.
- "*To carry* heavy bags" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (tiring).
- 2Object
She wants me to carry her luggage.
She wants me to carry her luggage.
- "Me *to carry* her luggage" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to carry* her luggage).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a strong bag to carry my books.
I need a strong bag to carry my books.
- "*To carry* my books" modifies the noun "bag."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong bag *to carry* my books).
Carrying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Carrying groceries is part of my daily routine.
Carrying groceries is part of my daily routine.
- "*Carrying* groceries" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (part of my daily routine).
- 2Object
I enjoy carrying shopping bags.
I enjoy carrying shopping bags.
- "*Carrying* shopping bags" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*carrying* shopping bags).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for carrying multiple things at once.
She has a talent for carrying multiple things at once.
- "For *carrying* multiple things at once" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *carrying* multiple things at once).
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 carry all the boxes upstairs.
They hope to carry their own bags during the trip.
He wants to carry the furniture by himself.
We decided to carry the equipment to the event.
They agreed to carry the heavy load together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys carrying her baby around the house.
They recommend carrying a reusable water bottle everywhere.
I dislike carrying heavy backpacks.
He avoids carrying fragile items without proper packaging.
Can you imagine yourself carrying a heavy load up the stairs?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to carry her own luggage. She likes carrying her own luggage.
We started to carry our groceries instead of using plastic bags. We started carrying our groceries instead of using plastic bags.
He began to carry a backpack to work. He began carrying a backpack to work.
