When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To optimize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to optimize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to optimize my website to improve its performance.
Optimizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "optimizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Optimizing your website can lead to higher search engine rankings.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To optimize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To optimize is essential for achieving maximum efficiency.
To optimize is essential for achieving maximum efficiency.
- "*To optimize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for achieving maximum efficiency).
- 2Object
She wants me to optimize her business processes.
She wants me to optimize her business processes.
- "Me *to optimize* her business processes" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to optimize* her business processes).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a strategy to optimize our marketing campaigns.
We need a strategy to optimize our marketing campaigns.
- "*To optimize* our marketing campaigns" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to optimize* our marketing campaigns).
Optimizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Optimizing is crucial for online success.
Optimizing is crucial for online success.
- "*Optimizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for online success).
- 2Object
I enjoy optimizing websites for better performance.
I enjoy optimizing websites for better performance.
- "*Optimizing* websites for better performance" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*optimizing* websites for better performance).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for optimizing digital marketing campaigns.
She has a knack for optimizing digital marketing campaigns.
- "For *optimizing* digital marketing campaigns" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *optimizing* digital marketing campaigns).
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 plan to optimize their supply chain for better efficiency.
I hope to optimize my time management skills this year.
He wants to optimize his investment portfolio for higher returns.
She decided to optimize the manufacturing process to reduce costs.
We agreed to optimize the website for better user experience.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy optimizing their social media profiles for engagement.
Experts recommend regularly optimizing your website for better visibility.
I dislike the idea of optimizing content for search engines.
He avoids optimizing his website for mobile devices.
Can you imagine yourself optimizing your online presence for success?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to optimize my workflow for maximum productivity. I like optimizing my workflow for maximum productivity.
They started to optimize their business processes for efficiency. They started optimizing their business processes for efficiency.
She began to optimize her website for better performance. She began optimizing her website for better performance.
