When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To circulate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to circulate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to circulate the document to all team members.
Circulating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "circulating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Circulating the newsletter is part of my responsibilities.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To circulate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To circulate the memo is the next step in the process.
To circulate the memo is the next step in the process.
- "*To circulate* the memo" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the next step in the process).
- 2Object
She wants me to circulate the email to the entire department.
She wants me to circulate the email to the entire department.
- "Me *to circulate* the email to the entire department" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to circulate* the email to the entire department).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a printer to circulate the updated reports.
We need a printer to circulate the updated reports.
- "*To circulate* the updated reports" modifies the noun "printer."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a printer *to circulate* the updated reports).
Circulating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Circulating the information is crucial for everyone's awareness.
Circulating the information is crucial for everyone's awareness.
- "*Circulating* the information" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for everyone's awareness).
- 2Object
I enjoy circulating the weekly updates to the team.
I enjoy circulating the weekly updates to the team.
- "*Circulating* the weekly updates to the team" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*circulating* the weekly updates to the team).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for circulating important documents.
She has a knack for circulating important documents.
- "For *circulating* important documents" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *circulating* important documents).
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 plan to circulate the agenda before the meeting.
I hope to circulate the survey to gather feedback.
He wants to circulate the announcement to all employees.
We decided to circulate the memo electronically.
They agreed to circulate the minutes of the meeting.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys circulating the meeting agenda in advance.
They recommend regularly circulating project updates.
I dislike the task of circulating memos to all departments.
She avoids circulating rumors in the office.
Can you imagine yourself circulating the company newsletter?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
We would like to circulate the proposal for review. We would like circulating the proposal for review.
He started to circulate the report to key stakeholders. He started circulating the report to key stakeholders.
She began to circulate the flyers around the neighborhood. She began circulating the flyers around the neighborhood.
