When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To introduce (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to introduce" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to introduce my friend to my family.
Introducing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "introducing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Introducing new technologies can revolutionize an industry.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To introduce (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To introduce new ideas is important in a creative environment.
To introduce new ideas is important in a creative environment.
- "*To introduce* new ideas" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important in a creative environment).
- 2Object
She asked me to introduce her to the team.
She asked me to introduce her to the team.
- "Me *to introduce* her to the team" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to introduce* her to the team).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a platform to introduce our new product.
We need a platform to introduce our new product.
- "*To introduce* our new product" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to introduce* our new product).
Introducing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Introducing new products requires extensive market research.
Introducing new products requires extensive market research.
- "*Introducing* new products" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (extensive market research).
- 2Object
I enjoy introducing people to each other.
I enjoy introducing people to each other.
- "*Introducing* people to each other" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*introducing* people to each other).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for introducing complex concepts to beginners.
He has a talent for introducing complex concepts to beginners.
- "For *introducing* complex concepts to beginners" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *introducing* complex concepts to beginners).
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 introduce a new feature in the next update.
He hopes to introduce his invention to the market soon.
She wants to introduce a new policy at work.
We decided to introduce a new menu at the restaurant.
They agreed to introduce a recycling program in the neighborhood.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys introducing new members to the club.
They recommend introducing mindfulness practices in the workplace.
I avoid introducing controversial topics in casual conversations.
Can you imagine introducing a new language to a community?
Do you mind introducing yourself to the group?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to introduce himself with a joke. He likes introducing himself with a joke.
We started to introduce a new program at the company. We started introducing a new program at the company.
She began to introduce herself to the audience. She began introducing herself to the audience.
