When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To gossip (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to gossip" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to gossip about others because it's not productive.
Gossiping (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "gossiping" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Gossiping can be harmful to relationships.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To gossip (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To gossip can spread rumors and damage reputations.
To gossip can spread rumors and damage reputations.
- "*To gossip*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can) + verb phrase (spread rumors and damage reputations).
- 2Object
She wants me to gossip with her.
She wants me to gossip with her.
- "Me *to gossip* with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to gossip* with her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a topic to gossip about.
I need a topic to gossip about.
- "*To gossip* about" modifies the noun "topic."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a topic *to gossip* about).
Gossiping (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Gossiping is a common pastime among teenagers.
Gossiping is a common pastime among teenagers.
- "*Gossiping*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common pastime among teenagers).
- 2Object
I enjoy gossiping with my friends.
I enjoy gossiping with my friends.
- "*Gossiping* with my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gossiping* with my friends).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of gossiping about others.
She has a habit of gossiping about others.
- "Of *gossiping* about others" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *gossiping* about others).
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 refuses to gossip about his coworkers.
They plan to gossip about the latest celebrity scandal.
She decided to gossip with her friends at lunch.
We pretended to gossip about our classmates.
He wants to gossip about his neighbors.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy gossiping about their coworkers.
I recommend avoiding gossiping in the workplace.
Do you mind gossiping about our mutual friend?
He avoids gossiping about others' personal lives.
Can you imagine them gossiping about you behind your back?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to gossip about celebrities. She likes gossiping about celebrities.
They started to gossip about their neighbors. They started gossiping about their neighbors.
He began to gossip about his coworkers. He began gossiping about his coworkers.
