When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To dissolve (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to dissolve" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to dissolve the sugar in water.
Dissolving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "dissolving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Dissolving the substance requires heating it to a high temperature.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To dissolve (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To dissolve the powder, add hot water and stir.
To dissolve the powder, add hot water and stir.
- "*To dissolve* the powder" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (add) + noun phrase (hot water and stir).
- 2Object
She wants me to dissolve the medication in water.
She wants me to dissolve the medication in water.
- "Me *to dissolve* the medication in water" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dissolve* the medication in water).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a solvent to dissolve the paint.
I need a solvent to dissolve the paint.
- "*To dissolve* the paint" modifies the noun "solvent."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solvent *to dissolve* the paint).
Dissolving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Dissolving sugar in water creates a sweet solution.
Dissolving sugar in water creates a sweet solution.
- "*Dissolving* sugar in water" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (a sweet solution).
- 2Object
I enjoy dissolving the powder in liquid.
I enjoy dissolving the powder in liquid.
- "*Dissolving* the powder in liquid" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dissolving* the powder in liquid).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for dissolving conflicts and finding compromises.
She has a talent for dissolving conflicts and finding compromises.
- "For *dissolving* conflicts and finding compromises" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *dissolving* conflicts and finding compromises).
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 dissolve the tablet in water before drinking it.
They hope to dissolve their differences and find a solution.
She wants to dissolve the contract and end the partnership.
We decided to dissolve the company due to financial difficulties.
They agreed to dissolve the marriage and go their separate ways.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys dissolving the substance in the laboratory.
They recommend dissolving the tablet in water before consumption.
She avoids dissolving the chemical without proper safety measures.
I am considering dissolving the partnership and starting a new business.
Can you imagine dissolving the solid and turning it into a liquid?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to dissolve the powder in warm water. They like dissolving the powder in warm water.
We started to dissolve the mixture slowly. We started dissolving the mixture slowly.
He began to dissolve the substance in small increments. He began dissolving the substance in small increments.
