When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To perceive (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to perceive" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to perceive the world in a different way.
Perceiving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "perceiving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Perceiving others' emotions can help build stronger relationships.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To perceive (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To perceive is to understand the world around us.
To perceive is to understand the world around us.
- "*To perceive*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (to understand the world around us).
- 2Object
She wants me to perceive the beauty in everyday life.
She wants me to perceive the beauty in everyday life.
- "Me *to perceive* the beauty in everyday life" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to perceive* the beauty in everyday life).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a fresh perspective to perceive the situation accurately.
I need a fresh perspective to perceive the situation accurately.
- "*To perceive* the situation accurately" modifies the noun "perspective."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fresh perspective *to perceive* the situation accurately).
Perceiving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Perceiving others' emotions is an important skill.
Perceiving others' emotions is an important skill.
- "*Perceiving* others' emotions" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill).
- 2Object
I enjoy perceiving the beauty in nature.
I enjoy perceiving the beauty in nature.
- "*Perceiving* the beauty in nature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*perceiving* the beauty in nature).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for perceiving people's true intentions.
He has a talent for perceiving people's true intentions.
- "For *perceiving* people's true intentions" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *perceiving* people's true intentions).
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
We decided to perceive the problem from a different angle.
They hope to perceive the truth behind the rumors.
He chose to perceive the glass as half full rather than half empty.
She determined to perceive the challenge as an opportunity for growth.
I want to learn to perceive subtle differences in color.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She avoids perceiving negativity in others.
They recommend perceiving different perspectives before making a decision.
I am considering perceiving the situation from a new angle.
Do you mind perceiving criticism as an opportunity for growth?
Can you imagine yourself perceiving the world through someone else's eyes?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to perceive the world with an open mind. She likes perceiving the world with an open mind.
We began to perceive the importance of empathy. We began perceiving the importance of empathy.
He continues to perceive beauty in the smallest details. He continues perceiving beauty in the smallest details.
