When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To peruse (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to peruse" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to peruse this book to gain more knowledge.
Perusing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "perusing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Perusing books is one of my favorite pastimes.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To peruse (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To peruse is a common activity during leisure time.
To peruse is a common activity during leisure time.
- "*To peruse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common activity during leisure time).
- 2Object
She wants me to peruse the document before the meeting.
She wants me to peruse the document before the meeting.
- "Me *to peruse* the document before the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to peruse* the document before the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a quiet place to peruse my favorite novels.
I need a quiet place to peruse my favorite novels.
- "*To peruse* my favorite novels" modifies the noun "place."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to peruse* my favorite novels).
Perusing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Perusing different websites provides a wealth of information.
Perusing different websites provides a wealth of information.
- "*Perusing* different websites" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (provides) + noun phrase (a wealth of information).
- 2Object
I enjoy perusing art galleries on weekends.
I enjoy perusing art galleries on weekends.
- "*Perusing* art galleries on weekends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*perusing* art galleries on weekends).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for perusing scientific journals.
She has a knack for perusing scientific journals.
- "For *perusing* scientific journals" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *perusing* scientific journals).
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 peruse the research articles for her project.
They hope to peruse the menu before deciding what to order.
He wants to peruse the newspaper to catch up on current events.
We decided to peruse the museum exhibits in chronological order.
They agreed to peruse the contract before signing it.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys perusing fashion magazines for style inspiration.
They recommend perusing online reviews before making a purchase.
I dislike the idea of perusing social media for hours.
He avoids perusing negative news articles to maintain a positive mindset.
Can you imagine yourself perusing through a library filled with books?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to peruse through antique shops. She likes perusing through antique shops.
We started to peruse academic journals for our research. We started perusing academic journals for our research.
He began to peruse travel blogs before planning his trip. He began perusing travel blogs before planning his trip.
