When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To mean (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to mean" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I meant to mean what I said.
Meaning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "meaning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Meaning can be interpreted in different ways.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To mean (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To mean is important in effective communication.
To mean is important in effective communication.
- "*To mean*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important).
- 2Object
He wants me to mean what I say.
He wants me to mean what I say.
- "Me *to mean* what I say" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mean* what I say).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a clear explanation to mean what she says.
She needs a clear explanation to mean what she says.
- "*To mean* what she says" modifies the noun "explanation."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a clear explanation *to mean* what she says).
Meaning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Meaning is often subjective.
Meaning is often subjective.
- "*Meaning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (subjective).
- 2Object
I enjoy the meaning behind the song.
I enjoy the meaning behind the song.
- "The *meaning* behind the song" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + noun phrase (the *meaning* behind the song).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a deep understanding of the meaning of life.
She has a deep understanding of the meaning of life.
- "Of the *meaning* of life" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a deep understanding of the *meaning* of life).
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
They want to mean what they promise.
He refused to mean what he said.
I will try to mean what I do.
She chose to mean what she wrote.
He pretends to mean what he does.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys meaningful conversations.
They consider meaningful work to be rewarding.
I avoid misinterpretmeaning situations.
She delayed discussmeaning the issue further.
He denies undermeaning the importance of the topic.
