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 layout of the building is important for safety.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To familiarize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To familiarize oneself with a new language takes time and practice.
To familiarize oneself with a new language takes time and practice.
- "*To familiarize* oneself with a new language" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and practice).
- 2Object
She wants me to familiarize her with the project details.
She wants me to familiarize her with the project details.
- "Me *to familiarize* her with the project details" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to familiarize* her with the project details).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a guide to familiarize myself with the city.
I need a guide to familiarize myself with the city.
- "*To familiarize* myself with the city" modifies the noun "guide."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a guide *to familiarize* myself with the city).
Familiarizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Familiarizing oneself with different cultures enhances empathy and understanding.
Familiarizing oneself with different cultures enhances empathy and understanding.
- "*Familiarizing* oneself with different cultures" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (enhances) + noun phrase (empathy and understanding).
- 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 passion for familiarizing others with the latest trends.
She has a passion for familiarizing others with the latest trends.
- "For *familiarizing* others with the latest trends" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *familiarizing* others with the latest trends).
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 familiarize herself with the new equipment before using it.
They hope to familiarize themselves with the local customs during their trip.
He wants to familiarize himself with the company's policies and procedures.
We decided to familiarize ourselves with the new technology.
They agreed to familiarize themselves with the project requirements.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys familiarizing herself with different art forms.
They recommend regularly familiarizing yourself with industry updates.
I dislike the process of familiarizing myself with complex regulations.
He avoids familiarizing himself with negative news.
Can you imagine yourself familiarizing with advanced technology?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to familiarize herself with new concepts. She likes familiarizing herself with new concepts.
We started to familiarize ourselves with the project requirements. We started familiarizing ourselves with the project requirements.
He began to familiarize himself with the software functionalities. He began familiarizing himself with the software functionalities.
