When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To pass (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to pass" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I promise to pass the exam with flying colors.
Passing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "passing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Passing the test was a relief.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To pass (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To pass is my goal for this semester.
To pass is my goal for this semester.
- "*To pass*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my goal for this semester).
- 2Object
She wants me to pass the ball to her.
She wants me to pass the ball to her.
- "Me *to pass* the ball to her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pass* the ball to her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a tutor to pass the difficult course.
I need a tutor to pass the difficult course.
- "*To pass* the difficult course" modifies the noun "tutor."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tutor *to pass* the difficult course).
Passing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Passing requires hard work and dedication.
Passing requires hard work and dedication.
- "*Passing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
- 2Object
I enjoy passing the ball to my teammates.
I enjoy passing the ball to my teammates.
- "*Passing* the ball to my teammates" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*passing* the ball to my teammates).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for passing difficult exams.
She has a talent for passing difficult exams.
- "For *passing* difficult exams" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *passing* difficult exams).
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
He plans to pass all his classes this semester.
I hope to pass the driving test on my first attempt.
They want to pass the final exam with a high score.
We decided to pass the responsibility to someone else.
They agreed to pass the information to the team members.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys passing the time by reading books.
They recommend passing the ball quickly for effective gameplay.
She avoids passing through busy streets during rush hour.
Can you imagine passing the finish line first in the race?
I don't mind passing the responsibility to someone else.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to pass the ball accurately. She likes passing the ball accurately.
We started to pass the knowledge to the younger generation. We started passing the knowledge to the younger generation.
He began to pass the ball more strategically. He began passing the ball more strategically.
