When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To parrot (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to parrot" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to parrot everything he says.
Parroting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "parroting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Parroting someone else's words is not considered original.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To parrot (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To parrot is a common behavior for some birds.
To parrot is a common behavior for some birds.
- "*To parrot*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior for some birds).
- 2Object
She wants me to parrot her words.
She wants me to parrot her words.
- "Me *to parrot* her words" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to parrot* her words).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a tape recorder to parrot his speech.
I need a tape recorder to parrot his speech.
- "*To parrot* his speech" modifies the noun "tape recorder."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tape recorder *to parrot* his speech).
Parroting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Parroting can be seen as a lack of creativity.
Parroting can be seen as a lack of creativity.
- "*Parroting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be seen) + noun phrase (a lack of creativity).
- 2Object
I enjoy parroting famous quotes.
I enjoy parroting famous quotes.
- "*Parroting* famous quotes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*parroting* famous quotes).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for parroting accents.
She has a talent for parroting accents.
- "For *parroting* accents" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *parroting* accents).
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 agreed to parrot his instructions during the presentation.
We decided to parrot his jokes to entertain the audience.
She pretended to parrot the foreign language perfectly.
I wish to parrot his impressive vocabulary.
He chose to parrot the lyrics of his favorite songs.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys parroting his favorite comedian's jokes.
They avoid parroting others' opinions without thinking.
Can you imagine yourself parroting a whole conversation in a foreign language?
We consider parroting as a form of plagiarism.
Experts recommend avoiding parroting during public speaking.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to parrot famous speeches. She likes parroting famous speeches.
We started to parrot each other's phrases. We started parroting each other's phrases.
He began to parrot the lyrics of his favorite songs. He began parroting the lyrics of his favorite songs.
