When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To forget (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to forget" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to forget to buy milk at the grocery store.
Forgetting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "forgetting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Forgetting someone's birthday can be embarrassing.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To forget (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To forget is human.
To forget is human.
- "*To forget*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (human).
- 2Object
She asked me to forget about the incident.
She asked me to forget about the incident.
- "Me *to forget* about the incident" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to forget* about the incident).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a reminder to forget his worries.
He needs a reminder to forget his worries.
- "*To forget* his worries" modifies the noun "reminder."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reminder *to forget* his worries).
Forgetting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Forgetting is a common occurrence.
Forgetting is a common occurrence.
- "*Forgetting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence).
- 2Object
I regret forgetting to bring my umbrella.
I regret forgetting to bring my umbrella.
- "*Forgetting* to bring my umbrella" is the object of the verb "regret."
- Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*forgetting* to bring my umbrella).
- 3Object of Preposition
She apologized for forgetting the appointment.
She apologized for forgetting the appointment.
- "*Forgetting* the appointment" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*forgetting* the appointment).
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 forget about her troubles and relax on the beach.
They hope to forget their stress during the vacation.
He wants to forget about the argument and move on.
We decided to forget about the past and focus on the future.
They agreed to forget their differences and work together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
I don't like forgetting important dates.
They started forgetting their worries and focusing on the present.
He began forgetting about his past mistakes and moving forward.
Regular exercise can help in forgetting daily stress.
She tried forgetting her fears and taking risks.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to forget about the whole incident. I would like forgetting about the whole incident.
We should start to forget about our past failures. We should start forgetting about our past failures.
He began to forget about his ex-girlfriend. He began forgetting about his ex-girlfriend.
