When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To emigrate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to emigrate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to emigrate to another country for better opportunities.
Emigrating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "emigrating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Emigrating can be a challenging process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To emigrate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To emigrate is a life-changing decision.
To emigrate is a life-changing decision.
- "*To emigrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a life-changing decision).
- 2Object
She wants her brother to emigrate with her.
She wants her brother to emigrate with her.
- "Her brother *to emigrate* with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her brother *to emigrate* with her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a visa to emigrate legally.
He needs a visa to emigrate legally.
- "*To emigrate* legally" modifies the noun "visa."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a visa *to emigrate* legally).
Emigrating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Emigrating requires careful planning.
Emigrating requires careful planning.
- "*Emigrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
- 2Object
He enjoys emigrating to different countries.
He enjoys emigrating to different countries.
- "*Emigrating* to different countries" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*emigrating* to different countries).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of emigrating alone.
She has a fear of emigrating alone.
- "Of *emigrating* alone" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *emigrating* alone).
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 plan to emigrate to Canada next year.
I hope to emigrate to Australia someday.
She wants to emigrate for a better quality of life.
We decided to emigrate after careful consideration.
They agreed to emigrate as a family.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They are considering emigrating to Europe for better opportunities.
Experts recommend seeking professional help when emigrating.
He avoids emigrating without proper documentation.
Can you imagine yourself emigrating to a foreign land?
She doesn't mind emigrating if it leads to a brighter future.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to emigrate for a fresh start. I would like emigrating to a new country.
They started to emigrate after years of contemplation. They started emigrating for better opportunities.
He began to emigrate as soon as he received his visa. He began emigrating once he got the necessary documents.
