When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To grimace (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to grimace" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to grimace during the painful procedure.
Grimacing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "grimacing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Grimacing can be a sign of discomfort or displeasure.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To grimace (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To grimace is a natural reaction to pain.
To grimace is a natural reaction to pain.
- "*To grimace*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural reaction to pain).
- 2Object
She wants me to grimace in the photo.
She wants me to grimace in the photo.
- "Me *to grimace* in the photo" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to grimace* in the photo).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a mirror to grimace at my reflection.
I need a mirror to grimace at my reflection.
- "*To grimace* at my reflection" modifies the noun "mirror."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mirror *to grimace* at my reflection).
Grimacing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Grimacing in pain, he winced and clenched his fists.
Grimacing in pain, he winced and clenched his fists.
- "*Grimacing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (in) + noun phrase (pain).
- 2Object
I enjoy grimacing in funny pictures.
I enjoy grimacing in funny pictures.
- "*Grimacing* in funny pictures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*grimacing* in funny pictures).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of grimacing in public.
She has a fear of grimacing in public.
- "Of *grimacing* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *grimacing* in public).
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 plans to grimace in the mirror before going on stage.
I hope to grimace convincingly for the role.
They want me to grimace in the haunted house.
We decided to grimace when the scary part comes.
They agreed to grimace in the comedy skit together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy grimacing in silly competitions.
The dentist recommends avoiding grimacing after dental surgery.
I dislike the feeling of grimacing in embarrassment.
He avoids grimacing when someone tells a bad joke.
Can you imagine yourself grimacing at your own reflection?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to grimace in the mirror. She likes grimacing in the mirror.
We started to grimace in funny photos. We started grimacing in funny photos.
He began to grimace when he heard the bad news. He began grimacing when he heard the bad news.
