When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To get (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to get" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to get a promotion at work.
Getting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "getting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Getting enough sleep is important for your health.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To get (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To get a promotion requires hard work and dedication.
To get a promotion requires hard work and dedication.
- "*To get* a promotion" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
- 2Object
She wants me to get her a cup of coffee.
She wants me to get her a cup of coffee.
- "Me *to get* her a cup of coffee" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to get* her a cup of coffee).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a ladder to get the book from the top shelf.
He needs a ladder to get the book from the top shelf.
- "*To get* the book from the top shelf" modifies the noun "ladder."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a ladder *to get* the book from the top shelf).
Getting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Getting enough exercise is essential for staying fit.
Getting enough exercise is essential for staying fit.
- "*Getting* enough exercise" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for staying fit).
- 2Object
I enjoy getting massages to relax.
I enjoy getting massages to relax.
- "*Getting* massages to relax" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*getting* massages to relax).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of getting lost in unfamiliar places.
She has a fear of getting lost in unfamiliar places.
- "Of *getting* lost in unfamiliar places" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *getting* lost in unfamiliar places).
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 get a new car next year.
They hope to get tickets to the concert.
He wants to get a higher score on the test.
We decided to get married in the spring.
They agreed to get dinner together tonight.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys getting together with friends for coffee.
They recommend getting regular check-ups for better health.
I dislike the feeling of getting wet in the rain.
He avoids getting caught in traffic.
Can you imagine yourself getting a promotion at work?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to get up early in the morning. She likes getting up early in the morning.
We started to get involved in community service. We started getting involved in community service.
He began to get more organized with his schedule. He began getting more organized with his schedule.
