When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To invade (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to invade" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The army decided to invade the enemy territory.
Invading (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "invading" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Invading another country is a violation of international law.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To invade (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To invade is a strategic military move.
To invade is a strategic military move.
- "*To invade*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a strategic military move).
- 2Object
They want us to invade the neighboring country.
They want us to invade the neighboring country.
- "Us *to invade* the neighboring country" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to invade* the neighboring country).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a plan to invade successfully.
We need a plan to invade successfully.
- "*To invade* successfully" modifies the noun "plan."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to invade* successfully).
Invading (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Invading foreign territories can lead to conflict.
Invading foreign territories can lead to conflict.
- "*Invading* foreign territories" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (conflict).
- 2Object
They enjoy invading enemy strongholds.
They enjoy invading enemy strongholds.
- "*Invading* enemy strongholds" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*invading* enemy strongholds).
- 3Object of Preposition
He was arrested for invading a sovereign nation.
He was arrested for invading a sovereign nation.
- "For *invading* a sovereign nation" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (was arrested for) + noun phrase (*invading* a sovereign nation).
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 invade at dawn tomorrow.
She hopes to invade the enemy base undetected.
He wants to invade with a large force.
We decided to invade from the east.
They agreed to invade together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They are considering invading the enemy's territory.
Experts recommend avoiding invading other countries without justification.
The government denies invading any foreign lands.
Can you imagine yourself invading enemy lines?
They discussed the consequences of invading neutral territories.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He would like to invade the enemy's stronghold. He would like invading the enemy's stronghold.
They started to invade the neighboring country. They started invading the neighboring country.
She began to invade enemy territories. She began invading enemy territories.
