When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To chance (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to chance" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to chance upon a rare treasure during my travels.
Chancing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "chancing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Chancing upon unexpected opportunities can lead to great success.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To chance (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To chance upon unexpected opportunities is exciting.
To chance upon unexpected opportunities is exciting.
- "*To chance* upon unexpected opportunities" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (exciting).
- 2Object
She wants me to chance upon a hidden gem.
She wants me to chance upon a hidden gem.
- "Me *to chance* upon a hidden gem" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to chance* upon a hidden gem).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a lucky charm to chance upon good fortune.
I need a lucky charm to chance upon good fortune.
- "*To chance* upon good fortune" modifies the noun "charm."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lucky charm *to chance* upon good fortune).
Chancing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Chancing upon a hidden talent can change your life.
Chancing upon a hidden talent can change your life.
- "*Chancing* upon a hidden talent" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can change) + possessive pronoun (your) + noun phrase (life).
- 2Object
I enjoy chancing upon interesting books at the library.
I enjoy chancing upon interesting books at the library.
- "*Chancing* upon interesting books at the library" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*chancing* upon interesting books at the library).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for chancing upon opportunities.
She has a knack for chancing upon opportunities.
- "For *chancing* upon opportunities" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *chancing* upon opportunities).
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 hope to chance upon their favorite celebrity at the concert.
We decided to chance upon new experiences during our vacation.
He wants to chance upon a solution to the problem.
She chose to chance upon a different career path.
They managed to chance upon a rare artifact in the museum.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys chancing upon rare collectibles at flea markets.
They recommend chancing upon new hobbies for personal growth.
Can you imagine yourself chancing upon a winning lottery ticket?
She avoids chancing upon dangerous situations.
Do you mind chancing upon unexpected challenges?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to chance upon unique items at antique stores. I like chancing upon unique items at antique stores.
They started to chance upon lucrative business opportunities. They started chancing upon lucrative business opportunities.
He began to chance upon valuable insights in his research. He began chancing upon valuable insights in his research.
