When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To glisten (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to glisten" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The sun caused the water to glisten with a beautiful shimmer.
Glistening (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "glistening" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
The dew on the grass was glistening in the morning sunlight.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To glisten (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To glisten is a sign of purity and freshness.
To glisten is a sign of purity and freshness.
- "*To glisten*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of purity and freshness).
- 2Object
She wants the diamond to glisten in the sunlight.
She wants the diamond to glisten in the sunlight.
- "The diamond *to glisten* in the sunlight" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the diamond *to glisten* in the sunlight).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a clean cloth to glisten my shoes.
I need a clean cloth to glisten my shoes.
- "*To glisten* my shoes" modifies the noun "cloth."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clean cloth *to glisten* my shoes).
Glistening (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Glistening in the sunlight, the snow looked like a field of diamonds.
Glistening in the sunlight, the snow looked like a field of diamonds.
- "*Glistening* in the sunlight" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (looked) + noun phrase (like a field of diamonds).
- 2Object
I enjoy the sight of flowers glistening with morning dew.
I enjoy the sight of flowers glistening with morning dew.
- "The sight of flowers *glistening* with morning dew" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (the sight of flowers *glistening* with morning dew).
- 3Object of Preposition
She took a photo of the river glistening in the sunset.
She took a photo of the river glistening in the sunset.
- "Of the river *glistening* in the sunset" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (took) + noun phrase (a photo of the river *glistening* in the sunset).
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
He chose the metallic finish to glisten on his car.
They attempted to glisten the silverware for the special occasion.
The customer demanded the product to glisten like new.
It seems impossible to glisten that brightly without any light source.
I wish to glisten like a star on stage.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy the feeling of sand glistening between their toes.
He avoids glistening surfaces to prevent accidents.
Can you imagine a cityscape glistening with lights at night?
We are considering a paint color that will keep the walls glistening.
Experts recommend using a highlighter to make your skin glistening.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes her jewelry to glisten in the spotlight. She likes her jewelry glistening in the spotlight.
He began to glisten after applying the oil. He began glistening after applying the oil.
They continue to glisten even after being underwater. They continue glistening even after being underwater.
