When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To orient (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to orient" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to orient myself with the new city before starting my job.
Orienting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "orienting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Orienting yourself with the new environment is essential.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To orient (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To orient is important for newcomers in a foreign country.
To orient is important for newcomers in a foreign country.
- "*To orient*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important) + prepositional phrase (for newcomers in a foreign country).
- 2Object
She wants me to orient her with the project details.
She wants me to orient her with the project details.
- "Me *to orient* her with the project details" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to orient* her with the project details).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a map to orient myself in this unfamiliar place.
I need a map to orient myself in this unfamiliar place.
- "*To orient* myself in this unfamiliar place" modifies the noun "map."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a map *to orient* myself in this unfamiliar place).
Orienting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Orienting oneself with different cultures is a great way to broaden horizons.
Orienting oneself with different cultures is a great way to broaden horizons.
- "*Orienting* oneself with different cultures" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + reflexive pronoun (oneself) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to broaden horizons).
- 2Object
I enjoy orienting new employees with company policies.
I enjoy orienting new employees with company policies.
- "*Orienting* new employees with company policies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*orienting* new employees with company policies).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for orienting others with complex tasks.
She has a talent for orienting others with complex tasks.
- "For *orienting* others with complex tasks" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *orienting* others with complex tasks).
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 orient herself with the city layout before exploring it.
They hope to orient themselves with the local customs during their trip.
He wants to orient himself with the company's policies before joining.
We decided to orient ourselves with the local language for better communication.
They agreed to orient themselves with the cultural practices of the new country.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys orienting herself with different cultures while traveling.
They recommend orienting new employees with the company's mission and values.
I dislike the idea of orienting myself with new technology.
He avoids orienting others with complicated instructions.
Can you imagine yourself orienting a group of people in a foreign city?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to orient herself with the surroundings before exploring. She likes orienting herself with different cultures while traveling.
We started to orient ourselves with the local customs. We started orienting new employees with company policies.
He began to orient himself with the new job responsibilities. He began orienting others with complex tasks.
