When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To grind (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to grind" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to grind my own coffee beans for a fresher taste.
Grinding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "grinding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Grinding your own spices can enhance the flavor of your dishes.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To grind (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To grind takes skill and practice.
To grind takes skill and practice.
- "*To grind*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (skill and practice).
- 2Object
She wants me to grind the spices.
She wants me to grind the spices.
- "Me *to grind* the spices" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to grind* the spices).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a grinder to grind the coffee beans.
I need a grinder to grind the coffee beans.
- "*To grind* the coffee beans" modifies the noun "grinder."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a grinder *to grind* the coffee beans).
Grinding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Grinding coffee beans releases the aromatic oils.
Grinding coffee beans releases the aromatic oils.
- "*Grinding* coffee beans" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (releases) + noun phrase (the aromatic oils).
- 2Object
I enjoy grinding my own pepper.
I enjoy grinding my own pepper.
- "*Grinding* my own pepper" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*grinding* my own pepper).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for grinding her own spices.
She has a passion for grinding her own spices.
- "For *grinding* her own spices" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *grinding* her own spices).
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 grind her own flour at home.
They hope to grind their own spices for cooking.
He wants to grind his own meat for burgers.
We decided to grind our own wheat for baking.
They agreed to grind their own coffee beans for a stronger flavor.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys grinding fresh coffee beans every morning.
They recommend grinding your own flour for healthier baking.
I dislike the process of grinding meat at home.
He avoids grinding his own spices by buying pre-ground ones.
Can you imagine the satisfaction of grinding your own grains for homemade bread?
