When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To pace (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to pace" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to pace myself during the marathon.
Pacing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "pacing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Pacing is key to a successful race strategy.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To pace (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To pace is an important skill in long-distance running.
To pace is an important skill in long-distance running.
- "*To pace*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in long-distance running).
- 2Object
She wants me to pace her during the race.
She wants me to pace her during the race.
- "Me *to pace* her during the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pace* her during the race).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a watch to pace my intervals.
I need a watch to pace my intervals.
- "*To pace* my intervals" modifies the noun "watch."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a watch *to pace* my intervals).
Pacing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Pacing requires discipline and self-control.
Pacing requires discipline and self-control.
- "*Pacing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (discipline and self-control).
- 2Object
I enjoy pacing my fellow runners during group workouts.
I enjoy pacing my fellow runners during group workouts.
- "*Pacing* my fellow runners during group workouts" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pacing* my fellow runners during group workouts).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for pacing herself in races.
She has a talent for pacing herself in races.
- "For *pacing* herself in races" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *pacing* herself in races).
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 pace herself in the upcoming race.
They hope to pace their teammates during the relay.
He wants to pace his training runs.
We decided to pace our friend in the half-marathon.
They agreed to pace each other in the marathon.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys pacing her training partners during long runs.
They recommend practicing pacing for better race results.
I dislike the feeling of pacing too fast at the beginning of a race.
He avoids pacing others in races to focus on his own performance.
Can you imagine yourself pacing elite runners in a marathon?
