When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To be fired (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to be fired" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to be fired from my job.
Being fired (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "being fired" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Being fired can be a stressful experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To be fired (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To be fired is a fear of many employees.
To be fired is a fear of many employees.
- "*To be fired*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fear of many employees).
- 2Object
She expects her assistant to be fired.
She expects her assistant to be fired.
- "Her assistant *to be fired*" is the object of the verb "expects."
- Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (her assistant *to be fired*).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a good reason to be fired from his position.
He needs a good reason to be fired from his position.
- "*To be fired* from his position" modifies the noun "reason."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a good reason *to be fired* from his position).
Being fired (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Being fired was a shock to him.
Being fired was a shock to him.
- "*Being fired*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a shock to him).
- 2Object
She regrets being fired from her previous job.
She regrets being fired from her previous job.
- "*Being fired* from her previous job" is the object of the verb "regrets."
- Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*being fired* from her previous job).
- 3Object of Preposition
He was worried about the consequences of being fired.
He was worried about the consequences of being fired.
- "Of *being fired*" is the object of the preposition "about."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (was) + noun phrase (worried about the consequences of *being fired*).
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 hope to be fired soon.
She wants to be fired to start her own business.
He plans to be fired so he can take a break.
They refuse to be fired without a valid reason.
We decided to be fired was the best option for our career.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They try to avoid being fired by working hard.
She doesn't mind being fired if it leads to better opportunities.
He is considering being fired as a chance to change careers.
I recommend seeking legal advice after being fired.
Can you imagine being fired on your first day of work?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I don't like to be fired without any warning. I don't like being fired without any warning.
They started to be fired one by one. They started being fired one by one.
He began to be fired after the company went bankrupt. He began being fired after the company went bankrupt.
