When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To holster (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to holster" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
He decided to holster his gun for safety reasons.
Holstering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "holstering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Holstering a gun can be done quickly with practice.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To holster (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To holster a weapon requires proper training.
To holster a weapon requires proper training.
- "*To holster* a weapon" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (proper training).
- 2Object
She wants him to holster his gun during the meeting.
She wants him to holster his gun during the meeting.
- "Him *to holster* his gun during the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to holster* his gun during the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a secure holster to carry his firearm.
He needs a secure holster to carry his firearm.
- "A secure holster *to carry* his firearm" modifies the noun "holster."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a secure holster *to carry* his firearm).
Holstering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Holstering firearms requires precision and speed.
Holstering firearms requires precision and speed.
- "*Holstering* firearms" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and speed).
- 2Object
I enjoy holstering my gun after a day at the shooting range.
I enjoy holstering my gun after a day at the shooting range.
- "*Holstering* my gun after a day at the shooting range" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*holstering* my gun after a day at the shooting range).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for holstering weapons quickly.
He has a talent for holstering weapons quickly.
- "For *holstering* weapons quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *holstering* weapons quickly).
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 holster his weapon before entering the building.
They want him to holster his gun at all times.
She hopes to holster her firearm without any difficulty.
We chose to holster our guns in the back holsters.
He determined to holster his weapon on his left side.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys holstering her gun with precision.
They recommend regular holstering practice for self-defense.
I avoid holstering my firearm in public places.
He is considering holstering his gun on his ankle.
Can you imagine yourself holstering multiple guns at once?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to holster his gun in a shoulder holster. He likes holstering his gun in a shoulder holster.
They started to holster their firearms for personal protection. They started holstering their firearms for personal protection.
She began to holster her gun after completing the shooting course. She began holstering her gun after completing the shooting course.
