When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To plead (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to plead" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to plead guilty to the charges.
Pleading (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "pleading" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Pleading guilty is a difficult decision to make.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To plead (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To plead is his only option at this point.
To plead is his only option at this point.
- "*To plead*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his only option at this point).
- 2Object
She wants me to plead her case in court.
She wants me to plead her case in court.
- "Me *to plead* her case in court" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to plead* her case in court).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a lawyer to plead his innocence.
He needs a lawyer to plead his innocence.
- "*To plead* his innocence" modifies the noun "lawyer."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a lawyer *to plead* his innocence).
Pleading (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Pleading for mercy is his last resort.
Pleading for mercy is his last resort.
- "*Pleading* for mercy" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his last resort).
- 2Object
I enjoy pleading my case in court.
I enjoy pleading my case in court.
- "*Pleading* my case in court" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pleading* my case in court).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for pleading her clients' innocence.
She has a talent for pleading her clients' innocence.
- "For *pleading* her clients' innocence" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *pleading* her clients' innocence).
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 plead for a lighter sentence.
They hope to plead their case successfully.
He wants to plead not guilty.
We decided to plead for mercy.
They agreed to plead for leniency.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys pleading for justice.
They recommend hiring an experienced lawyer for pleading your case.
I dislike the idea of pleading guilty.
He avoids pleading in front of large crowds.
Can you imagine yourself pleading for your freedom?
