When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To evade (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to evade" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
He refuses to evade the question during the interview.
Evading (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "evading" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Evading taxes is illegal.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To evade (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To evade is not a solution to the problem.
To evade is not a solution to the problem.
- "*To evade*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a solution to the problem).
- 2Object
She wants him to evade the authorities.
She wants him to evade the authorities.
- "Him *to evade* the authorities" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to evade* the authorities).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a plan to evade capture.
They need a plan to evade capture.
- "*To evade* capture" modifies the noun "plan."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to evade* capture).
Evading (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Evading taxes is a serious offense.
Evading taxes is a serious offense.
- "*Evading* taxes" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a serious offense).
- 2Object
She enjoys evading capture in the game.
She enjoys evading capture in the game.
- "*Evading* capture in the game" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*evading* capture in the game).
- 3Object of Preposition
He was accused of evading taxes.
He was accused of evading taxes.
- "*Evading* taxes" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (was accused of) + noun phrase (*evading* taxes).
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
He plans to evade the security guards at the museum.
We want you to evade the enemy's surveillance.
She chose to evade answering the difficult question.
They refused to evade their responsibilities.
He attempted to evade the police during the chase.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid evading confrontation with their neighbors.
She considered evading the responsibility, but decided against it.
Experts recommend evading harmful substances for better health.
I don't mind evading the crowd and staying at home.
He delayed evading the difficult task until the last minute.
