When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To erase (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to erase" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to erase all the mistakes.
Erasing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "erasing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Erasing is an important part of the editing process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To erase (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To erase is a necessary step in editing a document.
To erase is a necessary step in editing a document.
- "*To erase*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in editing a document).
- 2Object
She wants me to erase the whiteboard.
She wants me to erase the whiteboard.
- "Me *to erase* the whiteboard" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to erase* the whiteboard).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need an eraser to erase the pencil marks.
I need an eraser to erase the pencil marks.
- "*To erase* the pencil marks" modifies the noun "eraser."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an eraser *to erase* the pencil marks).
Erasing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Erasing is a common technique used in art.
Erasing is a common technique used in art.
- "*Erasing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common technique used in art).
- 2Object
I enjoy erasing pencil marks from paper.
I enjoy erasing pencil marks from paper.
- "*Erasing* pencil marks from paper" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*erasing* pencil marks from paper).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for erasing mistakes.
She has a talent for erasing mistakes.
- "For *erasing* mistakes" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *erasing* mistakes).
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 erase all the unnecessary data.
They hope to erase their digital footprint.
He wants to erase the old files.
We decided to erase our online history.
They agreed to erase the confidential information.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys erasing unnecessary details from photographs.
They recommend regular erasing of outdated data.
I dislike the task of erasing incorrect information.
He avoids erasing important files by mistake.
Can you imagine yourself erasing a whiteboard full of equations?
