When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To pony (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to pony" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to pony up and contribute to the project.
Ponying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "ponying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Ponying up is necessary for the success of the project.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To pony (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To pony is a fun activity for children at parties.
To pony is a fun activity for children at parties.
- "*To pony*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fun activity for children at parties).
- 2Object
She wants me to pony up for the concert tickets.
She wants me to pony up for the concert tickets.
- "Me *to pony* up for the concert tickets" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pony* up for the concert tickets).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a small stool to pony on.
I need a small stool to pony on.
- "*To pony* on" modifies the noun "stool."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a small stool *to pony* on).
Ponying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Ponying up requires financial commitment.
Ponying up requires financial commitment.
- "*Ponying* up" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (financial commitment).
- 2Object
I enjoy ponying up for a good cause.
I enjoy ponying up for a good cause.
- "*Ponying* up for a good cause" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ponying* up for a good cause).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of ponying up for her friends.
She has a habit of ponying up for her friends.
- "Of *ponying* up for her friends" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *ponying* up for her friends).
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 pony up for the charity event.
They hope to pony at the rodeo next month.
He wants to pony in the horse show.
We decided to pony up and support the cause.
They agreed to pony together for the team's expenses.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys ponying up for charitable organizations.
They recommend regular ponying up for community projects.
I dislike the idea of ponying up for unnecessary expenses.
He avoids ponying up for unreliable ventures.
Can you imagine yourself ponying up for a worthy cause?
