When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To cross (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to cross" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to cross the finish line first.
Crossing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "crossing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Crossing the finish line was a great achievement.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To cross (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To cross the river is a challenge.
To cross the river is a challenge.
- "*To cross* the river" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenge).
- 2Object
She wants me to cross the street with her.
She wants me to cross the street with her.
- "Me *to cross* the street with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to cross* the street with her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a bridge to cross the canyon.
I need a bridge to cross the canyon.
- "*To cross* the canyon" modifies the noun "bridge."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bridge *to cross* the canyon).
Crossing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Crossing the river was a difficult task.
Crossing the river was a difficult task.
- "*Crossing* the river" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a difficult task).
- 2Object
I enjoy crossing the street with friends.
I enjoy crossing the street with friends.
- "*Crossing* the street with friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*crossing* the street with friends).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a fear of crossing bridges.
He has a fear of crossing bridges.
- "Of *crossing* bridges" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *crossing* bridges).
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
He plans to cross the country on foot.
We hope to cross paths again in the future.
She wants to cross the ocean in a sailboat.
They decided to cross the border without any documents.
We agreed to cross the bridge together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy crossing the finish line together.
I recommend crossing the road at the designated crosswalk.
She dislikes the idea of crossing the river by swimming.
He avoids crossing busy intersections.
Can you imagine yourself crossing the desert on foot?
