When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To make (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to make" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to make a delicious cake for my friend's birthday.
Making (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "making" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Making art is a form of self-expression.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To make (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To make is a creative process.
To make is a creative process.
- "*To make*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a creative process).
- 2Object
She wants me to make dinner tonight.
She wants me to make dinner tonight.
- "Me *to make* dinner tonight" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to make* dinner tonight).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need flour to make bread.
I need flour to make bread.
- "*To make* bread" modifies the noun "flour."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (flour *to make* bread).
Making (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Making mistakes is part of the learning process.
Making mistakes is part of the learning process.
- "*Making* mistakes" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (part of the learning process).
- 2Object
I enjoy making jewelry in my free time.
I enjoy making jewelry in my free time.
- "*Making* jewelry in my free time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*making* jewelry in my free time).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for making people laugh.
She has a talent for making people laugh.
- "For *making* people laugh" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *making* people laugh).
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 make a trip to Europe next year.
They hope to make new friends at the party.
He wants to make a difference in the world.
We decided to make changes to our website.
They agreed to make a compromise in the negotiations.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys making music with her friends.
They recommend making a daily exercise routine.
I dislike the idea of making excuses for my mistakes.
He avoids making unnecessary expenses.
Can you imagine yourself making a speech in front of a large audience?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to make handmade gifts for her loved ones. She likes making handmade gifts for her loved ones.
We started to make plans for our vacation. We started making plans for our vacation.
He began to make progress in his studies. He began making progress in his studies.
