When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To charge (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to charge" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to charge my phone before I go out.
Charging (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "charging" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Charging your phone overnight can extend its battery life.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To charge (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To charge your device, simply plug it into the power outlet.
To charge your device, simply plug it into the power outlet.
- "*To charge* your device" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (your device).
- 2Object
She wants me to charge her laptop.
She wants me to charge her laptop.
- "Me *to charge* her laptop" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to charge* her laptop).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a cable to charge my phone.
I need a cable to charge my phone.
- "*To charge* my phone" modifies the noun "cable."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a cable *to charge* my phone).
Charging (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Charging your device is essential for its proper functioning.
Charging your device is essential for its proper functioning.
- "*Charging* your device" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for its proper functioning).
- 2Object
I enjoy charging my gadgets.
I enjoy charging my gadgets.
- "*Charging* my gadgets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*charging* my gadgets).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of charging her phone before bedtime.
She has a habit of charging her phone before bedtime.
- "Of *charging* her phone" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *charging* her phone).
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 charge his electric car overnight.
They hope to charge their laptops at the airport.
She wants to charge her camera battery.
We decided to charge our devices before the trip.
They agreed to charge their phones together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys charging his electric vehicle at home.
They recommend regular charging for optimal battery performance.
I avoid charging my phone in public places.
Can you imagine yourself charging your phone without a cable?
Do you mind charging my laptop while I'm away?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to charge her devices overnight. She likes charging her devices overnight.
We started to charge our gadgets in the morning. We started charging our gadgets in the morning.
He began to charge his phone every night. He began charging his phone every night.
