When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To locate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to locate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to locate the nearest gas station.
Locating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "locating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Locating a specific address can be challenging.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To locate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To locate a lost item is always a challenge.
To locate a lost item is always a challenge.
- "*To locate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a lost item).
- 2Object
She wants me to locate her phone.
She wants me to locate her phone.
- "Me *to locate* her phone" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to locate* her phone).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a map to locate the destination.
I need a map to locate the destination.
- "*To locate* the destination" modifies the noun "map."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a map *to locate* the destination).
Locating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Locating the source of the problem is the first step.
Locating the source of the problem is the first step.
- "*Locating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the source of the problem).
- 2Object
I enjoy locating hidden treasures.
I enjoy locating hidden treasures.
- "*Locating* hidden treasures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*locating* hidden treasures).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for locating lost items.
She has a talent for locating lost items.
- "For *locating* lost items" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *locating* lost items).
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 locate a new apartment in the city.
They hope to locate the missing keys before leaving.
He wants to locate the best restaurant in town.
We decided to locate a suitable venue for the event.
They agreed to locate the meeting room on the first floor.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys locating rare species of birds in the wild.
They recommend using a GPS for accurate locating.
I dislike the process of locating parking spaces.
He avoids locating himself in dangerous neighborhoods.
Can you imagine the thrill of locating buried treasure?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to locate hidden gems in antique shops. She likes locating hidden gems in antique shops.
We started to locate potential clients for our business. We started locating potential clients for our business.
He began to locate the source of the problem. He began locating the source of the problem.
