When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To open (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to open" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to open a new business in the city center.
Opening (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "opening" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Opening a gift is always exciting.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To open (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To open a window is refreshing on a hot day.
To open a window is refreshing on a hot day.
- "*To open* a window" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (refreshing on a hot day).
- 2Object
She wants me to open the door for her.
She wants me to open the door for her.
- "Me *to open* the door for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to open* the door for her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a key to open the lock.
I need a key to open the lock.
- "*To open* the lock" modifies the noun "key."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a key *to open* the lock).
Opening (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Opening presents is my favorite part of birthdays.
Opening presents is my favorite part of birthdays.
- "*Opening* presents" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my favorite part of birthdays).
- 2Object
I enjoy opening new books and smelling the pages.
I enjoy opening new books and smelling the pages.
- "*Opening* new books and smelling the pages" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*opening* new books and smelling the pages).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of opening doors.
She has a fear of opening doors.
- "Of *opening* doors" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *opening* doors).
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 open a new restaurant next year.
They hope to open their own art gallery someday.
He wants to open a coffee shop in the neighborhood.
We decided to open a bakery together.
They agreed to open a fitness center in the area.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys opening presents on Christmas morning.
They recommend opening a savings account for financial stability.
I dislike the feeling of opening surprise packages.
He avoids opening emails from unknown senders.
Can you imagine the excitement of opening a winning lottery ticket?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to open windows on sunny days. She likes opening windows on sunny days.
We started to open our own business. We started opening our own business.
He began to open his own art studio. He began opening his own art studio.
