When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To laugh (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to laugh" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to laugh at the funny movie.
Laughing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "laughing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Laughing is good for your health.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To laugh (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To laugh is a natural reaction to something funny.
To laugh is a natural reaction to something funny.
- "*To laugh*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural reaction to something funny).
- 2Object
She wants me to laugh at her jokes.
She wants me to laugh at her jokes.
- "Me *to laugh* at her jokes" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to laugh* at her jokes).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a comedy show to laugh with friends.
I need a comedy show to laugh with friends.
- "*To laugh* with friends" modifies the noun "comedy show."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comedy show *to laugh* with friends).
Laughing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Laughing improves your mood and reduces stress.
Laughing improves your mood and reduces stress.
- "*Laughing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (improves) + noun phrase (your mood and reduces stress).
- 2Object
I enjoy laughing with my friends.
I enjoy laughing with my friends.
- "*Laughing* with my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*laughing* with my friends).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for laughing at herself.
She has a talent for laughing at herself.
- "For *laughing* at herself" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *laughing* at herself).
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 laugh at the comedian's performance tonight.
They hope to laugh together during their gathering.
He wants to laugh uncontrollably at the funny video.
We decided to laugh at the comedy club this weekend.
They agreed to laugh at each other's jokes.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys laughing at funny memes.
They recommend regular laughing for better mental health.
I dislike the sound of laughing babies.
He avoids laughing in serious situations.
Can you imagine yourself laughing at a hilarious joke?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to laugh at comedy shows. She likes laughing at comedy shows.
We started to laugh when we heard the joke. We started laughing when we heard the joke.
He began to laugh uncontrollably at the funny movie. He began laughing uncontrollably at the funny movie.
