When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To demand (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to demand" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
They demanded to demand better working conditions.
Demanding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "demanding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Demanding attention is his specialty.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To demand (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To demand is their right as workers.
To demand is their right as workers.
- "*To demand*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their right as workers).
- 2Object
We expect them to demand fair wages.
We expect them to demand fair wages.
- "Them *to demand* fair wages" is the object of the verb "expect."
- Noun (We) + verb (expect) + noun phrase (them *to demand* fair wages).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a platform to demand justice.
She needs a platform to demand justice.
- "*To demand* justice" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a platform *to demand* justice).
Demanding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Demanding attention can be exhausting.
Demanding attention can be exhausting.
- "*Demanding* attention" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (exhausting).
- 2Object
She enjoys demanding excellence from her students.
She enjoys demanding excellence from her students.
- "*Demanding* excellence from her students" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*demanding* excellence from her students).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for demanding perfection.
He has a talent for demanding perfection.
- "For *demanding* perfection" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *demanding* perfection).
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 demand an explanation from the authorities.
I hope to demand a refund for this faulty product.
They want to demand equal rights for all.
She decided to demand a raise at work.
We agreed to demand better treatment for our team members.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy demanding high standards from their employees.
I recommend demanding transparency in business dealings.
She dislikes demanding too much from others.
We avoid demanding unrealistic outcomes.
Can you imagine yourself demanding equal rights for all?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to demand immediate action. He likes demanding immediate action.
We started to demand justice for the victims. We started demanding justice for the victims.
She began to demand better healthcare. She began demanding better healthcare.
