When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To correct (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to correct" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I promise to correct my mistakes before submitting the report.
Correcting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "correcting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Correcting mistakes is a necessary part of the learning process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To correct (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To correct is an essential part of the editing process.
To correct is an essential part of the editing process.
- "*To correct*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of the editing process).
- 2Object
She wants me to correct her grammar errors.
She wants me to correct her grammar errors.
- "Me *to correct* her grammar errors" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to correct* her grammar errors).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a red pen to correct his papers.
He needs a red pen to correct his papers.
- "*To correct* his papers" modifies the noun "pen."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a red pen *to correct* his papers).
Correcting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Correcting grammar errors requires attention to detail.
Correcting grammar errors requires attention to detail.
- "*Correcting* grammar errors" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (attention to detail).
- 2Object
We enjoy correcting puzzles and brain teasers.
We enjoy correcting puzzles and brain teasers.
- "*Correcting* puzzles and brain teasers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*correcting* puzzles and brain teasers).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for correcting spelling mistakes.
She has a talent for correcting spelling mistakes.
- "For *correcting* spelling mistakes" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *correcting* spelling 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 plan to correct any errors in the document tomorrow.
I hope to correct my pronunciation by practicing more.
We want to correct the spelling mistakes in the article.
She decided to correct the formatting issues herself.
He agreed to correct the punctuation errors in the essay.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys correcting photographs in his free time.
They recommend correcting your posture for better alignment.
She avoids correcting other people's work without permission.
Can you imagine yourself correcting errors in a bestselling novel?
I don't mind correcting my mistakes if it helps me improve.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to correct grammar mistakes. I like correcting grammar mistakes.
We started to correct the errors in the code. We started correcting the errors in the code.
He began to correct his pronunciation. He began correcting his pronunciation.
