When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To confess (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to confess" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I decided to confess my mistake to my boss.
Confessing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "confessing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Confessing your feelings can be liberating.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To confess (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To confess is a brave act.
To confess is a brave act.
- "*To confess*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (brave).
- 2Object
She wants me to confess the truth.
She wants me to confess the truth.
- "Me *to confess* the truth" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to confess* the truth).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a safe space to confess my feelings.
I need a safe space to confess my feelings.
- "*To confess* my feelings" modifies the noun "space."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a safe space *to confess* my feelings).
Confessing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Confessing is a courageous act.
Confessing is a courageous act.
- "*Confessing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (courageous).
- 2Object
I enjoy confessing my thoughts in my journal.
I enjoy confessing my thoughts in my journal.
- "*Confessing* my thoughts in my journal" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*confessing* my thoughts in my journal).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a fear of confessing his mistakes.
He has a fear of confessing his mistakes.
- "Of *confessing* his mistakes" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *confessing* his mistakes).
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 decided to confess their love for each other.
He hopes to confess his secret to his best friend.
She wants to confess her mistake to her parents.
I refused to confess under pressure.
They attempted to confess their sins to the priest.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She avoids confessing her true feelings.
They recommend confessing regularly for emotional well-being.
I don't mind confessing my weaknesses.
He considered confessing his involvement in the incident.
Can you imagine confessing your deepest secrets to a stranger?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to confess her worries to her best friend. She likes confessing her worries to her best friend.
We started to confess our feelings for each other. We started confessing our feelings for each other.
He began to confess his mistakes openly. He began confessing his mistakes openly.
