When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To drip (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to drip" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to drip water all over the floor.
Dripping (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "dripping" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Dripping water from the ceiling is a sign of a leak.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To drip (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To drip is annoying when it's raining outside.
To drip is annoying when it's raining outside.
- "*To drip*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (annoying).
- 2Object
She asked him to drip the paint slowly.
She asked him to drip the paint slowly.
- "Him *to drip* the paint slowly" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to drip* the paint slowly).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a bucket to catch the drips.
I need a bucket to catch the drips.
- "*To catch* the drips" modifies the noun "bucket."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bucket *to catch* the drips).
Dripping (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Dripping can be annoying when it's raining outside.
Dripping can be annoying when it's raining outside.
- "*Dripping*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (annoying).
- 2Object
I enjoy dripping honey on my pancakes.
I enjoy dripping honey on my pancakes.
- "*Dripping* honey on my pancakes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dripping* honey on my pancakes).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a fear of dripping water.
He has a fear of dripping water.
- "Of *dripping* water" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *dripping* water).
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
They hope to drip the faucet to fix it.
He wants to drip the water on the plants.
We decided to drip the medicine into his mouth.
They agreed to drip the oil into the engine.
She managed to drip the sauce on her dress.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She avoids dripping paint on the floor by using drop cloths.
Can you imagine the sound of dripping water in a quiet room?
They recommend wearing a raincoat to avoid dripping water.
I can't resist the temptation of dripping chocolate.
I understand the frustration of dripping ink from a pen.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to drip water from the faucet. I like dripping water from the faucet.
We began to drip paint onto the canvas. We began dripping paint onto the canvas.
He continues to drip the solution into the test tube. He continues dripping the solution into the test tube.
