When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To conquer (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to conquer" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to conquer my fears and achieve my goals.
Conquering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "conquering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Conquering challenges brings a sense of accomplishment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To conquer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To conquer is a challenging task.
To conquer is a challenging task.
- "*To conquer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
- 2Object
She wants me to conquer Mount Everest.
She wants me to conquer Mount Everest.
- "Me *to conquer* Mount Everest" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to conquer* Mount Everest).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a strategy to conquer my opponents.
I need a strategy to conquer my opponents.
- "*To conquer* my opponents" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to conquer* my opponents).
Conquering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Conquering obstacles requires determination and perseverance.
Conquering obstacles requires determination and perseverance.
- "*Conquering* obstacles" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (determination and perseverance).
- 2Object
I enjoy conquering new territories in business.
I enjoy conquering new territories in business.
- "*Conquering* new territories in business" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*conquering* new territories in business).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for conquering challenges.
She has a passion for conquering challenges.
- "For *conquering* challenges" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *conquering* challenges).
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 conquer her fear of public speaking.
They hope to conquer their financial difficulties.
He wants to conquer the world with his ideas.
We decided to conquer new markets with our products.
They agreed to conquer their fears together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys conquering her fears one by one.
They recommend conquering small goals to build confidence.
I dislike the idea of conquering without support.
He avoids conquering difficult tasks.
Can you imagine yourself conquering your biggest fear?
