When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To decarbonate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to decarbonate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to decarbonate the soda to remove the carbonation.
Decarbonating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "decarbonating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Decarbonating is a common practice in homebrewing.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To decarbonate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To decarbonate is a necessary step in the brewing process.
To decarbonate is a necessary step in the brewing process.
- "*To decarbonate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in the brewing process).
- 2Object
She wants me to decarbonate the drink before serving it.
She wants me to decarbonate the drink before serving it.
- "Me *to decarbonate* the drink before serving it" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to decarbonate* the drink before serving it).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a tool to decarbonate the beverage.
I need a tool to decarbonate the beverage.
- "*To decarbonate* the beverage" modifies the noun "tool."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to decarbonate* the beverage).
Decarbonating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Decarbonating can be done by releasing the pressure from the bottle.
Decarbonating can be done by releasing the pressure from the bottle.
- "*Decarbonating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be done) + noun phrase (by releasing the pressure from the bottle).
- 2Object
I enjoy decarbonating the soda to make it less bubbly.
I enjoy decarbonating the soda to make it less bubbly.
- "*Decarbonating* the soda to make it less bubbly" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*decarbonating* the soda to make it less bubbly).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for decarbonating beverages.
She has a passion for decarbonating beverages.
- "For *decarbonating* beverages" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *decarbonating* beverages).
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 decarbonate the water tomorrow.
They hope to decarbonate the soda to make it less fizzy.
He wants to decarbonate the beer for a smoother taste.
We decided to decarbonate the sparkling wine.
They agreed to decarbonate the soft drink before serving it.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys decarbonating the wine before serving it.
They recommend decarbonating the carbonated drinks for a smoother taste.
I dislike the idea of decarbonating the soda before drinking it.
He avoids decarbonating the beer as he prefers it carbonated.
Can you imagine yourself decarbonating your favorite beverages at home?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to decarbonate her soda before drinking it. She likes decarbonating her soda before drinking it.
We started to decarbonate our homemade beer. We started decarbonating our homemade beer.
He began to decarbonate his sparkling water. He began decarbonating his sparkling water.
