When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To expose (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to expose" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to expose my personal information online.
Exposing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "exposing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Exposing the truth can be risky.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To expose (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To expose the truth is our duty.
To expose the truth is our duty.
- "*To expose* the truth" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our duty).
- 2Object
She wants me to expose the corruption.
She wants me to expose the corruption.
- "Me *to expose* the corruption" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to expose* the corruption).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a platform to expose our ideas.
We need a platform to expose our ideas.
- "*To expose* our ideas" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to expose* our ideas).
Exposing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Exposing corruption is essential for a transparent society.
Exposing corruption is essential for a transparent society.
- "*Exposing* corruption" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for a transparent society).
- 2Object
I enjoy exposing the lies.
I enjoy exposing the lies.
- "*Exposing* the lies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exposing* the lies).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are dedicated to the cause of exposing government corruption.
They are dedicated to the cause of exposing government corruption.
- "The cause of *exposing* government corruption" is the object of the preposition "to."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + preposition (to) + noun phrase (the cause of *exposing* government corruption).
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 expose the truth to the public.
He demanded to expose the facts of the case.
I wish to expose the hidden agenda behind their actions.
We chose to expose the company's unethical practices.
She struggled to expose the injustice in society.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids exposing his vulnerabilities to others.
Experts recommend exposing children to diverse cultures.
We are considering exposing the truth to the media.
I don't mind exposing my flaws and mistakes.
Can you imagine exposing your deepest secrets to the world?
