When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To parallel (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to parallel" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to parallel park my car.
Paralleling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "paralleling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Paralleling cars can be challenging.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To parallel (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To parallel park requires skill and practice.
To parallel park requires skill and practice.
- "*To parallel* park" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and practice).
- 2Object
She wants me to parallel park her car.
She wants me to parallel park her car.
- "Me *to parallel* park her car" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to parallel* park her car).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a wide space to parallel park my truck.
I need a wide space to parallel park my truck.
- "*To parallel* park my truck" modifies the noun "space."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a wide space *to parallel* park my truck).
Paralleling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Paralleling cars requires precision and focus.
Paralleling cars requires precision and focus.
- "*Paralleling* cars" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and focus).
- 2Object
I enjoy paralleling cars in busy traffic.
I enjoy paralleling cars in busy traffic.
- "*Paralleling* cars in busy traffic" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*paralleling* cars in busy traffic).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for paralleling cars.
She has a talent for paralleling cars.
- "For *paralleling* cars" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *paralleling* cars).
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 parallel park on the street tomorrow.
They hope to parallel park perfectly during their driving test.
He wants to parallel park in a tight spot.
We decided to parallel park on the busy street.
They agreed to parallel park in the designated area.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys paralleling cars in tight spaces.
They recommend practicing paralleling cars for better driving skills.
I dislike the idea of paralleling cars on narrow streets.
He avoids paralleling cars in busy intersections.
Can you imagine yourself paralleling cars in a crowded parking lot?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to parallel park her car. She likes paralleling cars.
We started to parallel park in downtown areas. We started paralleling cars in parallel parking spots.
He began to parallel park with ease. He began paralleling cars smoothly.
