When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To dig (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to dig" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to dig a hole in the backyard to plant a tree.
Digging (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "digging" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Digging is a strenuous activity that requires physical effort.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To dig (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To dig requires strength and endurance.
To dig requires strength and endurance.
- "*To dig*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and endurance).
- 2Object
He wants me to dig a trench for the new irrigation system.
He wants me to dig a trench for the new irrigation system.
- "Me *to dig* a trench for the new irrigation system" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dig* a trench for the new irrigation system).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a shovel to dig a hole.
We need a shovel to dig a hole.
- "*To dig* a hole" modifies the noun "shovel."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a shovel *to dig* a hole).
Digging (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Digging holes is necessary for planting flowers.
Digging holes is necessary for planting flowers.
- "*Digging* holes" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary for planting flowers).
- 2Object
I enjoy digging in the garden to find worms.
I enjoy digging in the garden to find worms.
- "*Digging* in the garden to find worms" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*digging* in the garden to find worms).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for digging in archaeological sites.
She has a passion for digging in archaeological sites.
- "For *digging* in archaeological sites" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *digging* in archaeological sites).
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 dig a garden bed next spring.
They hope to dig for buried treasure in the backyard.
He wants to dig a well for clean water.
We decided to dig a pond in the backyard.
They agreed to dig a trench for the new fence.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys digging for fossils in the mountains.
They recommend regular digging for better soil health.
I dislike the idea of digging in rocky soil.
He avoids digging in contaminated areas.
Can you imagine yourself digging up ancient artifacts?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to dig deep holes in the sand. She likes digging deep holes in the sand.
We started to dig a foundation for the house. We started digging a foundation for the house.
He began to dig trenches for the irrigation system. He began digging trenches for the irrigation system.
