When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To homer (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to homer" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to homer in the game to help my team.
Homering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "homering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Homering is a thrilling experience for any baseball player.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To homer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To homer is his ultimate goal as a baseball player.
To homer is his ultimate goal as a baseball player.
- "*To homer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal as a baseball player).
- 2Object
She wants me to homer in the next inning.
She wants me to homer in the next inning.
- "Me *to homer* in the next inning" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to homer* in the next inning).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a powerful swing to homer consistently.
I need a powerful swing to homer consistently.
- "*To homer* consistently" modifies the noun "swing."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a powerful swing *to homer* consistently).
Homering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Homering brings excitement to the entire team.
Homering brings excitement to the entire team.
- "*Homering*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (excitement to the entire team).
- 2Object
I enjoy homering in front of a cheering crowd.
I enjoy homering in front of a cheering crowd.
- "*Homering* in front of a cheering crowd" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*homering* in front of a cheering crowd).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a knack for homering in clutch situations.
He has a knack for homering in clutch situations.
- "For *homering* in clutch situations" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *homering* in clutch situations).
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 homer in every game this season.
They hope to homer in front of their home crowd.
She wants to homer in the championship game.
We decided to homer off the rival pitcher.
They agreed to homer together in their last at-bats.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys homering in important games.
They recommend regular practice for better chances of homering.
I dislike the feeling of homering and then losing the game.
He avoids homering too early in the game.
Can you imagine yourself homering in a professional league?
