When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To describe (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to describe" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to describe my experience in detail.
Describing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "describing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Describing your emotions can be therapeutic.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To describe (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To describe is an important skill for writers.
To describe is an important skill for writers.
- "*To describe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for writers).
- 2Object
She asked me to describe the painting.
She asked me to describe the painting.
- "Me *to describe* the painting" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to describe* the painting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a pen to describe the details.
I need a pen to describe the details.
- "*To describe* the details" modifies the noun "pen."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to describe* the details).
Describing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Describing the scenery was a challenge.
Describing the scenery was a challenge.
- "*Describing* the scenery" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a challenge).
- 2Object
I enjoy describing my dreams to others.
I enjoy describing my dreams to others.
- "*Describing* my dreams to others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*describing* my dreams to others).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for describing complex concepts.
She has a talent for describing complex concepts.
- "For *describing* complex concepts" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *describing* complex concepts).
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 describe her trip in a blog post.
They hope to describe their findings in the research paper.
He wants to describe the process step by step.
We decided to describe the scene in vivid detail.
They agreed to describe the event from different perspectives.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys describing her travels in her blog.
They recommend describing your symptoms to the doctor.
I dislike describing my weaknesses during interviews.
He avoids describing his fears to others.
Can you imagine describing your wildest dreams?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to describe her artwork in great detail. She likes describing her artwork in great detail.
We started to describe the situation to the police. We started describing the situation to the police.
He began to describe the characters in the story. He began describing the characters in the story.
