When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To combinate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to combinate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to combinate different colors in my artwork.
Combinating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "combinating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Combinating colors can create interesting visual effects.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To combinate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To combinate is a creative process.
To combinate is a creative process.
- "*To combinate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a creative process).
- 2Object
She wants me to combinate various patterns in her design.
She wants me to combinate various patterns in her design.
- "Me *to combinate* various patterns in her design" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to combinate* various patterns in her design).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need different materials to combinate for my sculpture.
I need different materials to combinate for my sculpture.
- "*To combinate* for my sculpture" modifies the noun "materials."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (different materials *to combinate* for my sculpture).
Combinating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Combinating different ingredients is the key to a delicious recipe.
Combinating different ingredients is the key to a delicious recipe.
- "*Combinating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the key to a delicious recipe).
- 2Object
I enjoy combinating various textures in my artwork.
I enjoy combinating various textures in my artwork.
- "*Combinating* various textures in my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*combinating* various textures in my artwork).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for combinating different patterns.
She has a passion for combinating different patterns.
- "For *combinating* different patterns" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *combinating* different patterns).
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 combinate different flavors in her recipe tomorrow.
They hope to combinate with other artists during their exhibition.
He wants to combinate different styles in his fashion collection.
We decided to combinate different elements in our interior design.
They agreed to combinate their skills for a joint project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys combinating different colors in her paintings.
They recommend combinating contrasting flavors for a unique taste.
I dislike the idea of combinating bold and subtle patterns.
He avoids combinating incompatible materials in his sculptures.
Can you imagine yourself combinating different musical genres?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to combinate different textures in her artwork. She likes combinating different textures in her artwork.
We started to combinate various ingredients in our cooking. We started combinating various ingredients in our cooking.
He began to combinate different materials in his sculptures. He began combinating different materials in his sculptures.
