When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To customize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to customize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to customize my website to reflect my personal style.
Customizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "customizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Customizing allows you to make something truly your own.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To customize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To customize is an important aspect of creating a unique design.
To customize is an important aspect of creating a unique design.
- "*To customize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important aspect of creating a unique design).
- 2Object
She wants me to customize her clothing line.
She wants me to customize her clothing line.
- "Me *to customize* her clothing line" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to customize* her clothing line).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need software to customize my digital artwork.
I need software to customize my digital artwork.
- "*To customize* my digital artwork" modifies the noun "software."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (software *to customize* my digital artwork).
Customizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Customizing is a popular trend among DIY enthusiasts.
Customizing is a popular trend among DIY enthusiasts.
- "*Customizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular trend among DIY enthusiasts).
- 2Object
I enjoy customizing my clothes to create unique outfits.
I enjoy customizing my clothes to create unique outfits.
- "*Customizing* my clothes to create unique outfits" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*customizing* my clothes to create unique outfits).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for customizing furniture.
She has a talent for customizing furniture.
- "For *customizing* furniture" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *customizing* furniture).
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 customize her website for better user experience.
They hope to customize their car with new accessories.
He wants to customize his phone case with a unique design.
We decided to customize our home decor to match our personality.
They agreed to customize their logo for the upcoming event.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys customizing her room with DIY projects.
They recommend customizing your workspace for maximum productivity.
I dislike the idea of customizing my phone's settings.
He avoids customizing his laptop because he prefers the default settings.
Can you imagine yourself customizing your dream home?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to customize her social media profiles. She likes customizing her social media profiles.
We started to customize our website for better user experience. We started customizing our website for better user experience.
He began to customize his car with new modifications. He began customizing his car with new modifications.
