When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To major (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to major" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I decided to major in psychology.
Majoring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "majoring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Majoring in chemistry requires a lot of laboratory work.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To major (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To major in psychology requires a lot of dedication.
To major in psychology requires a lot of dedication.
- "*To major* in psychology" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of dedication).
- 2Object
She wants me to major in business.
She wants me to major in business.
- "Me *to major* in business" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to major* in business).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a good university to major in engineering.
I need a good university to major in engineering.
- "*To major* in engineering" modifies the noun "university."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good university *to major* in engineering).
Majoring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Majoring in chemistry can lead to various career opportunities.
Majoring in chemistry can lead to various career opportunities.
- "*Majoring* in chemistry" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (various career opportunities).
- 2Object
I enjoy majoring in mathematics.
I enjoy majoring in mathematics.
- "*Majoring* in mathematics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*majoring* in mathematics).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for majoring in art.
She has a passion for majoring in art.
- "For *majoring* in art" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *majoring* in art).
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 major in biology next year.
They hope to major in music in college.
He wants to major in computer science.
We decided to major in history.
They agreed to major in economics together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys majoring in psychology.
They recommend majoring in computer science for better job prospects.
I dislike the idea of majoring in business.
He avoids majoring in subjects he is not interested in.
Can you imagine yourself majoring in literature?
