When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To perform (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to perform" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to perform on stage in front of a large audience.
Performing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "performing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Performing allows me to express my creativity.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To perform (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To perform requires a lot of practice and dedication.
To perform requires a lot of practice and dedication.
- "*To perform*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of practice and dedication).
- 2Object
She wants me to perform in her concert.
She wants me to perform in her concert.
- "Me *to perform* in her concert" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to perform* in her concert).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a microphone to perform on stage.
I need a microphone to perform on stage.
- "*To perform* on stage" modifies the noun "microphone."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a microphone *to perform* on stage).
Performing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Performing is her passion.
Performing is her passion.
- "*Performing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (her passion).
- 2Object
I enjoy performing in front of an audience.
I enjoy performing in front of an audience.
- "*Performing* in front of an audience" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*performing* in front of an audience).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for performing.
She has a talent for performing.
- "For *performing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *performing*).
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 perform at the theater next month.
They hope to perform in a music festival.
He wants to perform in front of a live audience.
We decided to perform our new song at the concert.
They agreed to perform together at the talent show.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys performing in musicals.
They recommend regular performing for improving stage presence.
I dislike the idea of performing in front of a large crowd.
He avoids performing in small venues.
Can you imagine yourself performing in a Broadway show?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to perform in local theaters. She likes performing in local theaters.
We started to perform together as a band. We started performing together as a band.
He began to perform professionally. He began performing professionally.
