When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To defer (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to defer" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I plan to defer my decision until tomorrow.
Deferring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "deferring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Deferring the decision can be a wise move.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To defer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To defer is a common practice in business meetings.
To defer is a common practice in business meetings.
- "*To defer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in business meetings).
- 2Object
They want me to defer the project deadline.
They want me to defer the project deadline.
- "Me *to defer* the project deadline" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to defer* the project deadline).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a valid reason to defer the payment.
We need a valid reason to defer the payment.
- "*To defer* the payment" modifies the noun "reason."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to defer* the payment).
Deferring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Deferring the payment is not recommended.
Deferring the payment is not recommended.
- "*Deferring* the payment" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended).
- 2Object
She enjoys deferring difficult tasks to others.
She enjoys deferring difficult tasks to others.
- "*Deferring* difficult tasks to others" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*deferring* difficult tasks to others).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a habit of deferring important decisions.
He has a habit of deferring important decisions.
- "Of *deferring* important decisions" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *deferring* important decisions).
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 decided to defer her decision until next week.
We plan to defer the implementation of the new policy.
He hopes to defer the meeting to a later date.
I wish to defer the decision-making process.
They demanded to defer the start of the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid deferring their responsibilities.
I am considering deferring my retirement plans.
Experts recommend deferring gratification for long-term success.
She doesn't mind deferring the meeting to a later time.
He decided to delay making a decision by deferring it.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to defer my vacation until next year. I would like deferring my vacation until next year.
We started to defer our expenses for a better future. We started deferring our expenses for a better future.
She began to defer her dreams for the sake of her family. She began deferring her dreams for the sake of her family.
