When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To cause (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to cause" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
He caused to cause a lot of trouble at the party.
Causing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "causing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Causing harm to others is not acceptable.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To cause (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To cause a commotion would not be wise in this situation.
To cause a commotion would not be wise in this situation.
- "*To cause* a commotion" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would) + adjective (not) + adjective (wise) + prepositional phrase (in this situation).
- 2Object
She wants him to cause a distraction.
She wants him to cause a distraction.
- "Him *to cause* a distraction" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to cause* a distraction).
- 3Adverbial Modifier
They worked hard to cause a positive change.
They worked hard to cause a positive change.
- "*To cause* a positive change" modifies the verb "worked."
- Noun (They) + verb (worked) + adverb (hard) + infinitive phrase (to cause a positive change).
Causing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Causing damage to property is a criminal offense.
Causing damage to property is a criminal offense.
- "*Causing* damage to property" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a criminal offense).
- 2Object
I enjoy causing laughter among my friends.
I enjoy causing laughter among my friends.
- "*Causing* laughter among my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*causing* laughter among my friends).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for causing trouble.
She has a knack for causing trouble.
- "For *causing* trouble" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *causing* trouble).
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 cause a scene at the meeting.
He wants to cause a reaction from the audience.
They refused to cause any more trouble.
We attempted to cause a breakthrough in our research.
I decided to cause a delay in the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids causing conflicts in his relationships.
They recommend causing a positive impact on society.
I deny causing any harm to the environment.
Do you mind me causing a disturbance?
We are considering causing changes to the policy.
