When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To familiarize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to familiarize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to familiarize myself with the new software.
Familiarizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "familiarizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Familiarizing yourself with the process will make it easier for you.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To familiarize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To familiarize oneself with a new environment is important.
To familiarize oneself with a new environment is important.
- "*To familiarize* oneself with a new environment" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important).
- 2Object
She wants me to familiarize her with the company policies.
She wants me to familiarize her with the company policies.
- "Me *to familiarize* her with the company policies" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to familiarize* her with the company policies).
- 3Adverb Modifier
He needs more time to familiarize himself fully with the project.
He needs more time to familiarize himself fully with the project.
- "*To familiarize* himself fully with the project" modifies the noun "time."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + adverb phrase (more time *to familiarize* himself fully with the project).
Familiarizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Familiarizing oneself with different cultures is enriching.
Familiarizing oneself with different cultures is enriching.
- "*Familiarizing* oneself with different cultures" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (enriching).
- 2Object
I enjoy familiarizing myself with new technologies.
I enjoy familiarizing myself with new technologies.
- "*Familiarizing* myself with new technologies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*familiarizing* myself with new technologies).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for familiarizing others with complex concepts.
She has a talent for familiarizing others with complex concepts.
- "For *familiarizing* others with complex concepts" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *familiarizing* others with complex concepts).
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 familiarize themselves with the new software before the training session.
I hope to familiarize myself with the new city during my visit.
We want to familiarize our team with the updated guidelines.
He decided to familiarize himself with the research findings before presenting.
They agreed to familiarize themselves with the safety protocols for the experiment.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys familiarizing himself with different cuisines.
The teacher recommends familiarizing oneself with the text before the discussion.
She dislikes the idea of familiarizing herself with new technology.
They avoid familiarizing themselves with negative influences.
Can you imagine yourself familiarizing with a new language in just a month?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to familiarize myself with historical events. I like familiarizing myself with historical events.
They started to familiarize themselves with the procedures. They started familiarizing themselves with the procedures.
She began to familiarize herself with the new software. She began familiarizing herself with the new software.
