When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To greet (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to greet" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to greet all the guests at the party.
Greeting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "greeting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Greeting others with a warm smile is a sign of friendliness.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To greet (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To greet is a common courtesy in many cultures.
To greet is a common courtesy in many cultures.
- "*To greet*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common courtesy in many cultures).
- 2Object
She asked me to greet her parents.
She asked me to greet her parents.
- "Me *to greet* her parents" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to greet* her parents).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a friendly person to greet the customers.
We need a friendly person to greet the customers.
- "*To greet* the customers" modifies the noun "person."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a friendly person *to greet* the customers).
Greeting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Greeting people is an important part of customer service.
Greeting people is an important part of customer service.
- "*Greeting* people" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of customer service).
- 2Object
I enjoy greeting my friends when they arrive.
I enjoy greeting my friends when they arrive.
- "*Greeting* my friends when they arrive" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*greeting* my friends when they arrive).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for greeting strangers.
He has a talent for greeting strangers.
- "For *greeting* strangers" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *greeting* strangers).
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
They plan to greet the new employees on their first day.
He hopes to greet the visitors at the event.
She wants to greet everyone with a smile.
We decided to greet our neighbors with a welcome gift.
They agreed to greet each other with a handshake.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys greeting customers at the store.
They recommend greeting clients with a firm handshake.
I dislike the idea of greeting people with a fake smile.
He avoids greeting his ex-girlfriend.
Can you imagine greeting celebrities on the red carpet?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to greet people with a hug. I like greeting people with a hug.
We started to greet each other with a wave. We started greeting each other with a wave.
He began to greet his colleagues with a smile. He began greeting his colleagues with a smile.
