When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To plunder (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to plunder" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The pirates decided to plunder the ship for its treasure.
Plundering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "plundering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Plundering is a criminal act and is punishable by law.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To plunder (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To plunder is a common practice among pirates.
To plunder is a common practice among pirates.
- "*To plunder*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice among pirates).
- 2Object
He wants me to plunder the enemy's camp.
He wants me to plunder the enemy's camp.
- "Me *to plunder* the enemy's camp" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to plunder* the enemy's camp).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a plan to plunder the treasure.
They need a plan to plunder the treasure.
- "*To plunder* the treasure" modifies the noun "plan."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to plunder* the treasure).
Plundering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Plundering has been a problem in this region for years.
Plundering has been a problem in this region for years.
- "*Plundering*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (has been) + noun phrase (a problem in this region for years).
- 2Object
I enjoy plundering ancient tombs for hidden treasures.
I enjoy plundering ancient tombs for hidden treasures.
- "*Plundering* ancient tombs for hidden treasures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*plundering* ancient tombs for hidden treasures).
- 3Object of Preposition
He was arrested for his involvement in plundering the museum.
He was arrested for his involvement in plundering the museum.
- "For his involvement in *plundering* the museum" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (was arrested) + noun phrase (for his involvement in *plundering* the museum).
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
The thieves plan to plunder the bank tonight.
She hopes to plunder the ancient ruins for artifacts.
He wants to plunder the abandoned house for valuable items.
They decided to plunder the museum for its rare collection.
The gang members agreed to plunder the jewelry store together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy plundering sunken ships for lost treasure.
Experts recommend against plundering archaeological sites for personal gain.
She dislikes the idea of plundering protected wildlife habitats.
He avoids plundering private properties due to legal consequences.
Can you imagine yourself plundering a hidden treasure chest?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to plunder wealthy estates. He likes plundering wealthy estates.
We started to plunder ancient temples. We started plundering ancient temples.
She began to plunder valuable artifacts. She began plundering valuable artifacts.
