When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To juxtapose (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to juxtapose" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to juxtapose the two paintings to highlight their differences.
Juxtaposing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "juxtaposing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Juxtaposing different styles creates an interesting visual effect.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To juxtapose (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To juxtapose is a common technique used in art.
To juxtapose is a common technique used in art.
- "*To juxtapose*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common technique used in art).
- 2Object
She wants me to juxtapose the photos on the wall.
She wants me to juxtapose the photos on the wall.
- "Me *to juxtapose* the photos on the wall" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to juxtapose* the photos on the wall).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a white background to juxtapose the colors.
I need a white background to juxtapose the colors.
- "*To juxtapose* the colors" modifies the noun "background."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a white background *to juxtapose* the colors).
Juxtaposing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Juxtaposing is a technique commonly used in photography.
Juxtaposing is a technique commonly used in photography.
- "*Juxtaposing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a technique commonly used in photography).
- 2Object
I enjoy juxtaposing contrasting elements in my artwork.
I enjoy juxtaposing contrasting elements in my artwork.
- "*Juxtaposing* contrasting elements in my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*juxtaposing* contrasting elements in my artwork).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for juxtaposing different materials.
She has a passion for juxtaposing different materials.
- "For *juxtaposing* different materials" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *juxtaposing* different materials).
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 juxtapose the contrasting elements in her artwork.
They hope to juxtapose different textures in their sculpture.
He wants to juxtapose the old and the new in his design.
We decided to juxtapose the photographs in a chronological order.
They agreed to juxtapose the abstract and realistic styles in their painting.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys juxtaposing colors and patterns in her collages.
They recommend juxtaposing various textures for a visually appealing composition.
I dislike the idea of juxtaposing unrelated objects in my artwork.
He avoids juxtaposing conflicting themes in his paintings.
Can you imagine juxtaposing different eras in a single photograph?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to juxtapose different elements in her sculptures. She likes juxtaposing different elements in her sculptures.
We started to juxtapose contrasting colors in our artwork. We started juxtaposing contrasting colors in our artwork.
He began to juxtapose various textures in his photographs. He began juxtaposing various textures in his photographs.
