When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To neutralise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to neutralise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The government wants to neutralise the threat of terrorism.
Neutralising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "neutralising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Neutralising the toxins in the environment is crucial for our health.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To neutralise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To neutralise the virus, scientists are working on a vaccine.
To neutralise the virus, scientists are working on a vaccine.
- "*To neutralise* the virus" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (are) + verb phrase (working on a vaccine).
- 2Object
They need us to neutralise the enemy forces.
They need us to neutralise the enemy forces.
- "Us *to neutralise* the enemy forces" is the object of the verb "need."
- Pronoun (They) + verb (need) + pronoun (us) + infinitive phrase (to neutralise the enemy forces).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We require a strong solution to neutralise the acid.
We require a strong solution to neutralise the acid.
- "*To neutralise* the acid" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (We) + verb (require) + noun phrase (a strong solution *to neutralise* the acid).
Neutralising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Neutralising pollution requires collective efforts from all individuals.
Neutralising pollution requires collective efforts from all individuals.
- "*Neutralising* pollution" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (collective efforts from all individuals).
- 2Object
I enjoy neutralising conflicts and finding common ground.
I enjoy neutralising conflicts and finding common ground.
- "*Neutralising* conflicts and finding common ground" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Pronoun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*neutralising* conflicts and finding common ground).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are dedicated to the cause of neutralising climate change.
They are dedicated to the cause of neutralising climate change.
- "To the cause of *neutralising* climate change" is the object of the preposition "to."
- Pronoun (They) + verb (are) + prepositional phrase (to the cause of *neutralising* climate change).
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
The organization plans to neutralise the cyber attack with advanced security measures.
They attempted to neutralise the bomb threat by evacuating the building.
He refused to neutralise the toxic waste without proper safety protocols.
We chose to neutralise the disagreement through peaceful negotiations.
The team is determined to neutralise the opposition's offense in the game.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
We should avoid neutralising our responsibilities towards the environment.
She finished neutralising the harmful chemicals in the laboratory.
Experts recommend neutralising the acidity of the soil for better crop growth.
They are considering neutralising the negative impact of their actions.
I don't mind neutralising the noise pollution in my neighborhood.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to neutralise the tension between the two parties. I would like neutralising the tension between the two parties.
He started to neutralise the harmful effects of the chemical spill. He started neutralising the harmful effects of the chemical spill.
We began to neutralise the threat posed by invasive species. We began neutralising the threat posed by invasive species.
