When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To grab (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to grab" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to grab a snack before we leave.
Grabbing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "grabbing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Grabbing his backpack, he rushed out the door.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To grab (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To grab a coffee is my morning routine.
To grab a coffee is my morning routine.
- "*To grab* a coffee" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my morning routine).
- 2Object
She asked me to grab her phone.
She asked me to grab her phone.
- "Me *to grab* her phone" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to grab* her phone).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a strong hand to grab the rope.
He needs a strong hand to grab the rope.
- "*To grab* the rope" modifies the noun "hand."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong hand *to grab* the rope).
Grabbing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Grabbing is not allowed in the store.
Grabbing is not allowed in the store.
- "*Grabbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not allowed in the store).
- 2Object
I enjoy grabbing a cup of tea in the morning.
I enjoy grabbing a cup of tea in the morning.
- "*Grabbing* a cup of tea in the morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*grabbing* a cup of tea in the morning).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of grabbing snacks from the pantry.
She has a habit of grabbing snacks from the pantry.
- "Of *grabbing* snacks from the pantry" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *grabbing* snacks from the pantry).
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
We decided to grab dinner at the new restaurant.
They hope to grab tickets for the concert.
She wants to grab a book from the library.
He attempted to grab the ball but missed.
We plan to grab some groceries on our way home.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids grabbing junk food late at night.
They recommend grabbing a quick bite before the meeting.
I am considering grabbing a sweater before going outside.
Do you mind me grabbing a pen from your desk?
Can you imagine yourself grabbing the opportunity of a lifetime?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to grab a sandwich for lunch. She likes grabbing a sandwich for lunch.
We started to grab our bags and head out. We started grabbing our bags and heading out.
He began to grab every chance he got. He began grabbing every chance he got.
