When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To concentrate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to concentrate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to concentrate in order to finish this project.
Concentrating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "concentrating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Concentrating on one task at a time can improve productivity.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To concentrate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To concentrate is essential for success in any task.
To concentrate is essential for success in any task.
- "*To concentrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
- 2Object
She wants me to concentrate on my studies.
She wants me to concentrate on my studies.
- "Me *to concentrate* on my studies" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to concentrate* on my studies).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a quiet environment to concentrate effectively.
He needs a quiet environment to concentrate effectively.
- "*To concentrate* effectively" modifies the noun "environment."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to concentrate* effectively).
Concentrating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Concentrating requires mental focus and discipline.
Concentrating requires mental focus and discipline.
- "*Concentrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (mental focus and discipline).
- 2Object
I enjoy concentrating on complex puzzles.
I enjoy concentrating on complex puzzles.
- "*Concentrating* on complex puzzles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*concentrating* on complex puzzles).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for concentrating for long periods of time.
She has a talent for concentrating for long periods of time.
- "For *concentrating* for long periods of time" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *concentrating* for long periods of time).
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 concentrate on her work tomorrow.
They hope to concentrate better during their exams.
He wants to concentrate on his goals.
We decided to concentrate on our priorities.
They agreed to concentrate on their performance together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys concentrating on her artwork for hours.
They recommend regular concentrating for improved focus.
I dislike the idea of concentrating in a noisy environment.
He avoids concentrating on multiple tasks at once.
Can you imagine yourself concentrating in a busy coffee shop?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to concentrate in a quiet room. She likes concentrating in a quiet room.
We started to concentrate on our breathing. We started concentrating on our breathing.
He began to concentrate on his studies. He began concentrating on his studies.
