When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To meow (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to meow" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The cat wants to meow for attention.
Meowing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "meowing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Meowing can be a sign of hunger or discomfort.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To meow (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To meow is a cat's way of communicating.
To meow is a cat's way of communicating.
- "*To meow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a cat's way of communicating).
- 2Object
She wants her cat to meow at night.
She wants her cat to meow at night.
- "Her cat *to meow* at night" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her cat *to meow* at night).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a recording to meow whenever someone rings the doorbell.
I need a recording to meow whenever someone rings the doorbell.
- "*To meow* whenever someone rings the doorbell" modifies the noun "recording."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a recording *to meow* whenever someone rings the doorbell).
Meowing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Meowing is common among cats.
Meowing is common among cats.
- "*Meowing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (common among cats).
- 2Object
I enjoy hearing the sound of meowing in the morning.
I enjoy hearing the sound of meowing in the morning.
- "The sound of *meowing* in the morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (the sound of *meowing* in the morning).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a soft spot for cats meowing.
She has a soft spot for cats meowing.
- "For cats *meowing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a soft spot for cats *meowing*).
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 hope to meow to get some treats.
He wants to meow loudly to wake everyone up.
We decided to meow in unison during the performance.
She chose to meow at the moon every night.
The child pretends to meow like a cat.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys meowing at the kittens playing.
They recommend ignoring excessive meowing for attention.
He avoids sudden loud meowing in public places.
Can you imagine a world without cats meowing?
I consider meowing as a form of communication.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to meow when she wants something. She likes meowing when she wants something.
We started to meow in harmony. We started meowing in harmony.
He began to meow whenever he was hungry. He began meowing whenever he was hungry.
