When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To grace (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to grace" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to grace the stage with my presence.
Gracing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "gracing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Gracing the red carpet is a dream come true.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To grace (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To grace the event is an honor.
To grace the event is an honor.
- "*To grace*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an honor).
- 2Object
She wants me to grace the occasion.
She wants me to grace the occasion.
- "Me *to grace* the occasion" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to grace* the occasion).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a beautiful dress to grace the party.
I need a beautiful dress to grace the party.
- "*To grace* the party" modifies the noun "dress."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a beautiful dress *to grace* the party).
Gracing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Gracing the cover of a magazine is a huge accomplishment.
Gracing the cover of a magazine is a huge accomplishment.
- "*Gracing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a huge accomplishment).
- 2Object
I enjoy gracing the stage with my performances.
I enjoy gracing the stage with my performances.
- "*Gracing* the stage" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gracing* the stage).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for gracing events with her presence.
She has a passion for gracing events with her presence.
- "For *gracing* events" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *gracing* events).
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 grace the ceremony with her presence.
They hope to grace the event with their performance.
He wants to grace the stage with his talent.
We decided to grace the gathering with our appearance.
They agreed to grace the occasion together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys gracing parties with her elegance.
They recommend gracing the stage with confidence.
I dislike the idea of gracing formal events.
He avoids gracing social gatherings.
Can you imagine yourself gracing the runway?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to grace the dance floor. She likes gracing the dance floor.
We started to grace the stage together. We started gracing the stage together.
He began to grace events with his presence. He began gracing events with his presence.
