When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To downgrade (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to downgrade" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to downgrade my phone because I need the latest features.
Downgrading (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "downgrading" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Downgrading can be a difficult decision to make.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To downgrade (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To downgrade is not an option for me.
To downgrade is not an option for me.
- "*To downgrade*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an option for me).
- 2Object
He asked her to downgrade her subscription.
He asked her to downgrade her subscription.
- "Her *to downgrade* her subscription" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (her *to downgrade* her subscription).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a software to downgrade their operating system.
They need a software to downgrade their operating system.
- "*To downgrade* their operating system" modifies the noun "software."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to downgrade* their operating system).
Downgrading (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Downgrading your phone may affect its performance.
Downgrading your phone may affect its performance.
- "*Downgrading* your phone" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (may affect) + noun phrase (its performance).
- 2Object
She enjoys downgrading her technology gadgets.
She enjoys downgrading her technology gadgets.
- "*Downgrading* her technology gadgets" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*downgrading* her technology gadgets).
- 3Object of Preposition
I have no problem with downgrading my internet speed.
I have no problem with downgrading my internet speed.
- "With *downgrading* my internet speed" is the object of the preposition "with."
- Noun phrase (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (no problem with *downgrading* my internet speed).
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 downgrade her internet speed next month.
I hope to downgrade my cable package to save money.
He wants to downgrade his car to a smaller model.
They decided to downgrade their hotel room for a cheaper option.
We agreed to downgrade our phone plan to a basic one.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy downgrading their entertainment system for a vintage experience.
Experts recommend downgrading your data plan if you don't use much data.
He avoids downgrading his computer's operating system without proper backup.
She is considering downgrading her job position for a better work-life balance.
I don't mind downgrading my travel accommodations for a budget-friendly trip.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He doesn't like to downgrade his lifestyle. He doesn't like downgrading his lifestyle.
She started to downgrade her expenses. She started downgrading her expenses.
They began to downgrade their company's infrastructure. They began downgrading their company's infrastructure.
