When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To impend (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to impend" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The storm clouds are starting to impend over the city.
Impending (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "impending" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
The impending storm is causing panic among the residents.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To impend (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To impend is a sign of danger.
To impend is a sign of danger.
- "*To impend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of danger).
- 2Object
He wants us to impend the arrival of the enemy.
He wants us to impend the arrival of the enemy.
- "Us *to impend* the arrival of the enemy" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to impend* the arrival of the enemy).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a plan to impend the crisis.
We need a plan to impend the crisis.
- "*To impend* the crisis" modifies the noun "plan."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to impend* the crisis).
Impending (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Impending disaster can be prevented with proper planning.
Impending disaster can be prevented with proper planning.
- "*Impending* disaster" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be prevented) + noun phrase (with proper planning).
- 2Object
They cannot avoid the impending deadline.
They cannot avoid the impending deadline.
- "The *impending* deadline" is the object of the verb "cannot avoid."
- Noun (They) + verb (cannot avoid) + gerund (the *impending* deadline).
- 3Object of Preposition
We are preparing for the impending storm.
We are preparing for the impending storm.
- "For the *impending* storm" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (We) + verb (are preparing for) + noun phrase (the *impending* storm).
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 decided to impend stricter regulations.
I hope to impend positive changes in the future.
She wants to impend a sense of urgency.
He chose to impend the meeting until next week.
We managed to impend the construction project on time.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She is considering impending changes in the company structure.
They recommend preparing for the impending crisis.
He avoids discussing the impending layoffs.
We delayed the impending decision until next month.
They denied the impending problem.
