When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To die (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to die" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to die without fulfilling my dreams.
Dying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "dying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Dying is a natural part of the life cycle.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To die (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To die is a natural part of life.
To die is a natural part of life.
- "*To die*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural part of life).
- 2Object
She doesn't want him to die in vain.
She doesn't want him to die in vain.
- "Him *to die* in vain" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
- Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (him *to die* in vain).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a reason to die for.
They need a reason to die for.
- "*To die* for" modifies the noun "reason."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to die* for).
Dying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Dying can be a painful process.
Dying can be a painful process.
- "*Dying*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a painful process).
- 2Object
He fears dying alone.
He fears dying alone.
- "*Dying* alone" is the object of the verb "fears."
- Noun (He) + verb (fears) + gerund (*dying* alone).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has accepted the reality of dying.
She has accepted the reality of dying.
- "The reality of *dying*" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has accepted) + noun phrase (the reality of *dying*).
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 die peacefully in his sleep.
We hope to die with dignity.
She wants to die surrounded by loved ones.
They decided to die on their own terms.
The family agreed to die together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy dying their hair different colors.
Doctors recommend avoiding smoking to prevent premature dying.
I dislike the thought of dying in pain.
He avoids risky behavior to decrease the chance of dying.
Can you imagine dying and coming back to life?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to die peacefully in her sleep. She likes dying her hair different colors.
He started to die his hair at a young age. He started dying his hair at a young age.
They began to die their clothes with natural dyes. They began dying their clothes with natural dyes.
