When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To juggle (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to juggle" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to juggle three balls at once.
Juggling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "juggling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Juggling is a fun and entertaining skill.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To juggle (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To juggle requires focus and coordination.
To juggle requires focus and coordination.
- "*To juggle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (focus and coordination).
- 2Object
She wants me to juggle fire torches in the performance.
She wants me to juggle fire torches in the performance.
- "Me *to juggle* fire torches in the performance" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to juggle* fire torches in the performance).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a set of balls to juggle.
I need a set of balls to juggle.
- "*To juggle*" modifies the noun "set of balls."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a set of balls *to juggle*).
Juggling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Juggling requires practice and hand-eye coordination.
Juggling requires practice and hand-eye coordination.
- "*Juggling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice and hand-eye coordination).
- 2Object
I enjoy juggling different objects at the carnival.
I enjoy juggling different objects at the carnival.
- "*Juggling* different objects at the carnival" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*juggling* different objects at the carnival).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for juggling multiple items at once.
She has a talent for juggling multiple items at once.
- "For *juggling* multiple items at once" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *juggling* multiple items at once).
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
She plans to juggle knives in her next show.
They hope to juggle flaming torches at the circus.
He wants to juggle different objects to impress his friends.
We decided to juggle with chainsaws for a thrilling act.
They agreed to juggle together in the talent show.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys juggling colorful balls in the park.
They recommend regular juggling for improving hand dexterity.
I dislike the idea of juggling sharp objects.
He avoids juggling fragile items that can break easily.
Can you imagine yourself juggling fire torches on stage?
