When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To colonize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to colonize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
Many countries wanted to colonize new territories for resources and power.
Colonizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "colonizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Colonizing new lands often led to conflicts with indigenous populations.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To colonize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To colonize is a complex process that involves political, economic, and social factors.
To colonize is a complex process that involves political, economic, and social factors.
- "*To colonize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process that involves political, economic, and social factors).
- 2Object
They expect us to colonize the newly discovered planet.
They expect us to colonize the newly discovered planet.
- "Us *to colonize* the newly discovered planet" is the object of the verb "expect."
- Noun (They) + verb (expect) + noun phrase (us *to colonize* the newly discovered planet).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a team to colonize the unexplored island.
He needs a team to colonize the unexplored island.
- "*To colonize* the unexplored island" modifies the noun "team."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a team *to colonize* the unexplored island).
Colonizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Colonizing requires careful planning and strategic decisions.
Colonizing requires careful planning and strategic decisions.
- "*Colonizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and strategic decisions).
- 2Object
I enjoy colonizing uncharted territories.
I enjoy colonizing uncharted territories.
- "*Colonizing* uncharted territories" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*colonizing* uncharted territories).
- 3Object of Preposition
They were accused of colonizing the region without consent.
They were accused of colonizing the region without consent.
- "*Colonizing* the region without consent" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (were accused of) + noun phrase (*colonizing* the region without consent).
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 colonize Mars in the near future.
We hope to colonize other planets within our lifetime.
She wants to colonize the moon for scientific research.
He decided to colonize the island for its natural resources.
The countries agreed to colonize the continent together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys colonizing new territories and establishing settlements.
Experts recommend careful planning before colonizing unfamiliar lands.
He tries to avoid conflicts while colonizing foreign lands.
Can you imagine the challenges of colonizing distant planets?
They are considering colonizing the moon for future space exploration.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They would like to colonize the entire continent. They would like colonizing new territories.
We started to colonize the region centuries ago. We started colonizing the region centuries ago.
He began to colonize the island in search of wealth. He began colonizing the island in search of wealth.
