When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To happen (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to happen" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I hope to happen upon a rare book at the bookstore.
Happening (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "happening" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Happening upon unexpected surprises can make your day.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To happen (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To happen is out of our control.
To happen is out of our control.
- "*To happen*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + prepositional phrase (out of our control).
- 2Object
She wants me to happen to be there when she arrives.
She wants me to happen to be there when she arrives.
- "Me *to happen* to be there when she arrives" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to happen* to be there when she arrives).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need something to happen soon.
I need something to happen soon.
- "*To happen* soon" modifies the noun "something."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (something *to happen* soon).
Happening (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Happening unexpectedly can be quite thrilling.
Happening unexpectedly can be quite thrilling.
- "*Happening* unexpectedly" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adverb phrase (quite thrilling).
- 2Object
I enjoy happening upon new music.
I enjoy happening upon new music.
- "*Happening* upon new music" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*happening* upon new music).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of happening in crowded places.
She has a fear of happening in crowded places.
- "Of *happening* in crowded places" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *happening* in crowded places).
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 happen upon a solution to the problem.
I wish to happen upon a hidden treasure someday.
He wants to happen upon an opportunity for promotion.
We decided to happen upon a good restaurant for dinner.
They agreed to happen upon a compromise for the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys happening upon unexpected encounters.
They recommend happening upon new experiences for personal growth.
I dislike the idea of happening upon dangerous situations.
She avoids happening upon confrontations.
Can you imagine happening upon a famous celebrity?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to happen upon interesting conversations. I like happening upon interesting conversations.
They started to happen upon unexpected opportunities. They started happening upon unexpected opportunities.
We began to happen upon strange coincidences. We began happening upon strange coincidences.
