When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To download (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to download" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to download the latest movie to watch.
Downloading (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "downloading" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Downloading music is a common practice among music lovers.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To download (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To download is a popular method of obtaining digital content.
To download is a popular method of obtaining digital content.
- "*To download*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular method of obtaining digital content).
- 2Object
She wants me to download the music for her.
She wants me to download the music for her.
- "Me *to download* the music for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to download* the music for her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a fast internet connection to download large files.
I need a fast internet connection to download large files.
- "*To download* large files" modifies the noun "internet connection."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fast internet connection *to download* large files).
Downloading (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Downloading movies is becoming increasingly popular.
Downloading movies is becoming increasingly popular.
- "*Downloading* movies" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (becoming increasingly popular).
- 2Object
I enjoy downloading new apps on my phone.
I enjoy downloading new apps on my phone.
- "*Downloading* new apps on my phone" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*downloading* new apps on my phone).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for downloading books.
She has a passion for downloading books.
- "For *downloading* books" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *downloading* books).
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 download the new software tomorrow.
They hope to download their favorite TV show during their trip.
He wants to download the e-book for his research.
We decided to download the app for our business.
They agreed to download the game together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys downloading movies on her laptop every weekend.
They recommend regular downloading of software updates for better performance.
I dislike the idea of downloading pirated content.
He avoids downloading files from untrusted sources.
Can you imagine yourself downloading an entire music library in seconds?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to download new games on her phone. She likes downloading new games on her phone.
We started to download movies online. We started downloading movies online.
He began to download music from different genres. He began downloading music from different genres.
