When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To mourn (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to mourn" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to mourn the loss of my loved one in my own way.
Mourning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "mourning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Mourning is an important part of the healing process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To mourn (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To mourn is a natural response to grief.
To mourn is a natural response to grief.
- "*To mourn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural response to grief).
- 2Object
She wants me to mourn with her at the funeral.
She wants me to mourn with her at the funeral.
- "Me *to mourn* with her at the funeral" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mourn* with her at the funeral).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a quiet place to mourn my loss.
I need a quiet place to mourn my loss.
- "*To mourn* my loss" modifies the noun "place."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to mourn* my loss).
Mourning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Mourning helps us cope with our emotions.
Mourning helps us cope with our emotions.
- "*Mourning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (us cope with our emotions).
- 2Object
I find solace in mourning the loss of my loved one.
I find solace in mourning the loss of my loved one.
- "*Mourning* the loss of my loved one" is the object of the verb "find."
- Noun (I) + verb (find) + gerund (*mourning* the loss of my loved one).
- 3Object of Preposition
She dedicated a song to her late husband, as a way of mourning.
She dedicated a song to her late husband, as a way of mourning.
- "As a way of *mourning*" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (dedicated) + noun phrase (a song to her late husband, as a way of *mourning*).
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 mourn the deceased at the memorial service.
They hope to mourn together as a family during the funeral.
He wants to mourn privately without any interruptions.
We decided to mourn our friend by organizing a tribute event.
They agreed to mourn their pet by planting a tree in its memory.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys mourning by reminiscing about the happy memories.
They recommend seeking professional help during the process of mourning.
I dislike the idea of mourning alone without any support.
He avoids mourning by keeping himself busy with other activities.
Can you imagine yourself mourning the loss of a close friend?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to mourn by visiting the gravesite. She likes mourning by writing letters to her loved one.
We started to mourn immediately after the tragic incident. We started mourning as a way to honor the memory of those we lost.
He began to mourn his pet cat when it passed away. He began mourning the loss of his pet cat by creating a memorial collage.
