When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To jut (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to jut" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to jut out my chin to appear confident.
Jutting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "jutting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Jutting out your chest can make you appear more confident.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To jut (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To jut out is a natural response when startled.
To jut out is a natural response when startled.
- "*To jut* out" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural response when startled).
- 2Object
She wants me to jut my elbow out.
She wants me to jut my elbow out.
- "Me *to jut* my elbow out" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to jut* my elbow out).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a hat to jut over my face for shade.
I need a hat to jut over my face for shade.
- "*To jut* over my face for shade" modifies the noun "hat."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hat *to jut* over my face for shade).
Jutting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Jutting out is a common gesture of defiance.
Jutting out is a common gesture of defiance.
- "*Jutting* out" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common gesture of defiance).
- 2Object
I enjoy jutting my chin out in photos.
I enjoy jutting my chin out in photos.
- "*Jutting* my chin out in photos" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*jutting* my chin out in photos).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of jutting her hip out.
She has a habit of jutting her hip out.
- "Of *jutting* her hip out" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *jutting* her hip out).
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 jut her hip out for a more dramatic pose.
They hope to jut their chin out for better posture.
He wants to jut his shoulder out to show off his tattoo.
We decided to jut our leg out for a stylish pose.
They agreed to jut their tongue out for a funny photo.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys jutting her tongue out for a silly expression.
They recommend jutting your jaw out for a more defined profile.
I dislike the idea of jutting my stomach out for a pose.
He avoids jutting his finger out in public.
Can you imagine yourself jutting your chest out with confidence?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to jut her hip out for a sassy look. She likes jutting her hip out for a sassy look.
We started to jut our chin out for better posture. We started jutting our chin out for better posture.
He began to jut his elbow out for a stylish pose. He began jutting his elbow out for a stylish pose.
