When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To dally (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to dally" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to dally with different hobbies to explore my interests.
Dallying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "dallying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Dallying with different hobbies brings joy to my life.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To dally (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To dally is not a productive use of time.
To dally is not a productive use of time.
- "*To dally*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive use of time).
- 2Object
She wants me to dally in the park.
She wants me to dally in the park.
- "Me *to dally* in the park" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dally* in the park).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a creative outlet to dally with.
I need a creative outlet to dally with.
- "*To dally* with" modifies the noun "creative outlet."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a creative outlet *to dally* with).
Dallying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Dallying is a way to pass the time.
Dallying is a way to pass the time.
- "*Dallying*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a way to pass the time).
- 2Object
I enjoy dallying in nature.
I enjoy dallying in nature.
- "*Dallying* in nature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dallying* in nature).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for dallying with fashion.
She has a passion for dallying with fashion.
- "For *dallying* with fashion" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *dallying* with fashion).
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 dally with different hobbies this summer.
They hope to dally with new recipes in the kitchen.
He wants to dally with photography as a hobby.
We decided to dally with gardening for relaxation.
They agreed to dally with painting during their vacation.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys dallying in different art forms.
They recommend regular dallying in outdoor activities for stress relief.
I dislike the idea of dallying in trivial matters.
He avoids dallying in unproductive conversations.
Can you imagine yourself dallying in foreign cultures?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to dally in the garden. She likes dallying in the garden.
We started to dally with different musical instruments. We started dallying with different musical instruments.
He began to dally in photography. He began dallying in photography.
