When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To pay (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to pay" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to pay my bills by the end of the month.
Paying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "paying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Paying with cash is becoming less common.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To pay (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To pay is a financial responsibility.
To pay is a financial responsibility.
- "*To pay*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a financial responsibility).
- 2Object
She wants me to pay for the dinner.
She wants me to pay for the dinner.
- "Me *to pay* for the dinner" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pay* for the dinner).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a credit card to pay for online purchases.
I need a credit card to pay for online purchases.
- "*To pay* for online purchases" modifies the noun "credit card."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a credit card *to pay* for online purchases).
Paying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Paying with cash is convenient.
Paying with cash is convenient.
- "*Paying* with cash" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (convenient).
- 2Object
I enjoy paying for groceries with my mobile app.
I enjoy paying for groceries with my mobile app.
- "*Paying* for groceries with my mobile app" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*paying* for groceries with my mobile app).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a preference for paying in full.
She has a preference for paying in full.
- "For *paying* in full" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *paying* in full).
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 pay off her student loans within five years.
They hope to pay for their dream vacation with their savings.
He wants to pay for the concert tickets.
We decided to pay the bill in installments.
They agreed to pay for the repairs together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys paying with a credit card for the rewards.
They recommend paying off debts as soon as possible.
I dislike the idea of paying high interest rates.
He avoids paying late fees by setting up automatic payments.
Can you imagine paying for everything in cash?
