When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To investigate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to investigate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to investigate the crime scene to gather evidence.
Investigating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "investigating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Investigating a crime requires attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To investigate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To investigate is an important part of the detective's job.
To investigate is an important part of the detective's job.
- "*To investigate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of the detective's job).
- 2Object
She wants me to investigate the suspicious activity.
She wants me to investigate the suspicious activity.
- "Me *to investigate* the suspicious activity" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to investigate* the suspicious activity).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a magnifying glass to investigate the small details.
They need a magnifying glass to investigate the small details.
- "*To investigate* the small details" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to investigate* the small details).
Investigating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Investigating the incident is the detective's responsibility.
Investigating the incident is the detective's responsibility.
- "*Investigating* the incident" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the detective's responsibility).
- 2Object
He enjoys investigating complex cases.
He enjoys investigating complex cases.
- "*Investigating* complex cases" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*investigating* complex cases).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are dedicated to investigating corruption.
They are dedicated to investigating corruption.
- "To *investigating* corruption" is the object of the preposition "to."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + preposition (to) + gerund (*investigating* corruption).
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
We plan to investigate the case thoroughly.
He decided to investigate the matter further.
I hope to investigate the paranormal activity in that haunted house.
She wants to investigate the missing documents.
They refused to investigate the anonymous tip.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys investigating mysteries and solving puzzles.
Experts recommend investigating any suspicious activities immediately.
They avoid investigating cases without sufficient evidence.
I am considering investigating the company's financial records.
Can you imagine yourself investigating crime scenes?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to investigate the incident personally. I would like investigating the incident personally.
We started to investigate the cyber attack. We started investigating the cyber attack.
He began to investigate the source of the leak. He began investigating the source of the leak.
