When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To channel (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to channel" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to channel my creativity into my artwork.
Channelling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "channelling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Channelling your emotions can lead to better mental health.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To channel (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To channel your energy effectively is important for productivity.
To channel your energy effectively is important for productivity.
- "*To channel* your energy effectively" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for productivity).
- 2Object
She wants me to channel my emotions in a healthy way.
She wants me to channel my emotions in a healthy way.
- "Me *to channel* my emotions in a healthy way" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to channel* my emotions in a healthy way).
- 3Adverb Modifier
He practices daily to channel his focus.
He practices daily to channel his focus.
- "Daily *to channel* his focus" modifies the verb "practices."
- Noun (He) + verb (practices) + adverb phrase (daily *to channel* his focus).
Channelling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Channelling your anger appropriately is important for maintaining relationships.
Channelling your anger appropriately is important for maintaining relationships.
- "*Channelling* your anger appropriately" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for maintaining relationships).
- 2Object
I enjoy channelling my creativity through painting.
I enjoy channelling my creativity through painting.
- "*Channelling* my creativity through painting" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*channelling* my creativity through painting).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for channelling her emotions into music.
She has a talent for channelling her emotions into music.
- "For *channelling* her emotions into music" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *channelling* her emotions into music).
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 channel her thoughts into writing a book.
They hope to channel their skills into a successful career.
He wants to channel his passion into helping others.
We decided to channel our resources towards environmental conservation.
They agreed to channel their efforts into charity work.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys channelling her energy into dancing.
They recommend regular channelling of stress for overall well-being.
I dislike the idea of channelling negative thoughts into my mind.
He avoids channelling his frustration into destructive behavior.
Can you imagine yourself channelling your passion into a successful business?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to channel her thoughts into writing poetry. She likes channelling her thoughts into writing poetry.
We started to channel our efforts into social activism. We started channelling our efforts into social activism.
He began to channel his creativity into photography. He began channelling his creativity into photography.
