When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To haggle (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to haggle" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to haggle with the seller to get a lower price.
Haggling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "haggling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Haggling can be a fun way to negotiate prices.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To haggle (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To haggle is a common practice in some cultures.
To haggle is a common practice in some cultures.
- "*To haggle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in some cultures).
- 2Object
She wants me to haggle for the best deal.
She wants me to haggle for the best deal.
- "Me *to haggle* for the best deal" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to haggle* for the best deal).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need someone to haggle on my behalf.
I need someone to haggle on my behalf.
- "*To haggle* on my behalf" modifies the noun "someone."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (someone *to haggle* on my behalf).
Haggling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Haggling is common in some markets.
Haggling is common in some markets.
- "*Haggling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (common in some markets).
- 2Object
I enjoy haggling for a good bargain.
I enjoy haggling for a good bargain.
- "*Haggling* for a good bargain" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*haggling* for a good bargain).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a talent for haggling.
They have a talent for haggling.
- "For *haggling*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a talent for *haggling*).
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 attempted to haggle the price down.
She pretended to haggle to see if the seller would lower the price.
They refused to haggle and paid the original price.
I wish to haggle was more socially acceptable in my country.
We decided to haggle for a better deal.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys haggling at flea markets.
They recommend haggling for better prices.
He avoids haggling and prefers fixed prices.
I am considering haggling with the car dealer.
Do you mind haggling for discounts?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to haggle for the thrill of negotiation. I like haggling for the thrill of negotiation.
They started to haggle as soon as they entered the bazaar. They started haggling as soon as they entered the bazaar.
He began to haggle with the street vendor over the price. He began haggling with the street vendor over the price.
