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 on my studies to achieve good grades.
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 can help you achieve your goals faster.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To concentrate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To concentrate is crucial for success in any task.
To concentrate is crucial for success in any task.
- "*To concentrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for success in any task).
- 2Object
She wants me to concentrate on my work.
She wants me to concentrate on my work.
- "Me *to concentrate* on my work" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to concentrate* on my work).
- 3Adverbial Modifier
I have a quiet space to concentrate in.
I have a quiet space to concentrate in.
- "*To concentrate* in" modifies the noun "space."
- Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a quiet space *to concentrate* in).
Concentrating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Concentrating is the key to productivity.
Concentrating is the key to productivity.
- "*Concentrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the key to productivity).
- 2Object
I enjoy concentrating on my hobbies.
I enjoy concentrating on my hobbies.
- "*Concentrating* on my hobbies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*concentrating* on my hobbies).
- 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 project this weekend.
They hope to concentrate better during their exams.
He wants to concentrate on his goals.
We decided to concentrate on improving our skills.
They agreed to concentrate on teamwork.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys concentrating on her artwork.
They recommend regular concentrating for better focus.
I dislike the idea of concentrating in noisy environments.
He avoids concentrating on negative thoughts.
Can you imagine yourself concentrating in a busy cafe?
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 health. We started concentrating on our health.
He began to concentrate on his career. He began concentrating on his career.
