When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To ignite (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to ignite" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to ignite the fireworks to celebrate the New Year.
Igniting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "igniting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Igniting the match requires caution and precision.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To ignite (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To ignite the fire is a crucial step in starting a campfire.
To ignite the fire is a crucial step in starting a campfire.
- "*To ignite* the fire" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial step in starting a campfire).
- 2Object
She wants me to ignite the candles on her birthday cake.
She wants me to ignite the candles on her birthday cake.
- "Me *to ignite* the candles on her birthday cake" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to ignite* the candles on her birthday cake).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a spark to ignite the fuel.
We need a spark to ignite the fuel.
- "*To ignite* the fuel" modifies the noun "spark."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a spark *to ignite* the fuel).
Igniting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Igniting a fire is a skill that should be learned.
Igniting a fire is a skill that should be learned.
- "*Igniting* a fire" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a skill that should be learned).
- 2Object
I enjoy igniting the fireplace on cold winter nights.
I enjoy igniting the fireplace on cold winter nights.
- "*Igniting* the fireplace on cold winter nights" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*igniting* the fireplace on cold winter nights).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for igniting fireworks.
He has a passion for igniting fireworks.
- "For *igniting* fireworks" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *igniting* fireworks).
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 ignite the bonfire tonight.
I hope to ignite the fireworks at the festival.
He wants to ignite the grill for the barbecue.
We decided to ignite the candles on the birthday cake.
They agreed to ignite the sparklers together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys igniting the grill for outdoor cooking.
Experts recommend using proper safety measures when igniting fireworks.
I dislike the idea of igniting a bonfire in a crowded area.
He avoids igniting flammable substances near an open flame.
Can you imagine yourself igniting a fire without matches?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to ignite sparklers on special occasions. They like igniting sparklers on special occasions.
We started to ignite the fireworks display. We started igniting the fireworks display.
He began to ignite the candles on the birthday cake. He began igniting the candles on the birthday cake.
