When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To exaggerate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to exaggerate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to exaggerate the situation.
Exaggerating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "exaggerating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Exaggerating can lead to misunderstandings.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To exaggerate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To exaggerate is not recommended in this context.
To exaggerate is not recommended in this context.
- "*To exaggerate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not recommended) + prepositional phrase (in this context).
- 2Object
He doesn't allow me to exaggerate the details.
He doesn't allow me to exaggerate the details.
- "Me *to exaggerate* the details" is the object of the verb "allow."
- Noun (He) + verb (allow) + noun phrase (me *to exaggerate* the details).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She gave a highly exaggerated account to make her story more interesting.
She gave a highly exaggerated account to make her story more interesting.
- "*To make* her story more interesting" modifies the noun phrase "a highly exaggerated account."
- Noun (She) + verb (gave) + noun phrase (a highly exaggerated account *to make* her story more interesting).
Exaggerating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Exaggerating is a common behavior in some people.
Exaggerating is a common behavior in some people.
- "*Exaggerating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior in some people).
- 2Object
I enjoy exaggerating the details in my stories.
I enjoy exaggerating the details in my stories.
- "*Exaggerating* the details in my stories" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exaggerating* the details in my stories).
- 3Object of Preposition
She received criticism for exaggerating her accomplishments.
She received criticism for exaggerating her accomplishments.
- "For *exaggerating* her accomplishments" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (received) + noun phrase (criticism for *exaggerating* her accomplishments).
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 refused to exaggerate the facts in their report.
He denied to exaggerate his abilities during the interview.
She pretended to exaggerate her pain to get attention.
We chose not to exaggerate the importance of the event.
They learned to exaggerate their achievements to impress others.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids exaggerating the difficulties he faced.
Do you mind exaggerating a little to make the story more interesting?
They are considering exaggerating the numbers to attract investors.
I recommend not exaggerating your qualifications on your resume.
She understands the consequences of exaggerating the truth.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They don't like to exaggerate their achievements. They don't like exaggerating their achievements.
He started to exaggerate the events to make them sound more exciting. He started exaggerating the events to make them sound more exciting.
She began to exaggerate her abilities to impress others. She began exaggerating her abilities to impress others.
