When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To postpone (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to postpone" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
We decided to postpone the meeting until next week.
Postponing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "postponing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Postponing the decision was not an option.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To postpone (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To postpone the event was a difficult decision.
To postpone the event was a difficult decision.
- "*To postpone* the event" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a difficult decision).
- 2Object
She wants us to postpone the trip.
She wants us to postpone the trip.
- "Us *to postpone* the trip" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to postpone* the trip).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs more time to postpone the deadline.
He needs more time to postpone the deadline.
- "*To postpone* the deadline" modifies the noun "time."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (more time *to postpone* the deadline).
Postponing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Postponing the game disappointed the fans.
Postponing the game disappointed the fans.
- "*Postponing* the game" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (disappointed) + noun phrase (the fans).
- 2Object
He enjoys postponing tasks until the last minute.
He enjoys postponing tasks until the last minute.
- "*Postponing* tasks until the last minute" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*postponing* tasks until the last minute).
- 3Object of Preposition
We are considering postponing the event.
We are considering postponing the event.
- "*Postponing* the event" is the object of the preposition "considering."
- Noun phrase (We) + verb (are considering) + gerund (*postponing* the event).
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
They plan to postpone the project until next month.
I hope to postpone the appointment to a later date.
She wants to postpone the event due to bad weather.
We decided to postpone the trip because of unforeseen circumstances.
They agreed to postpone the meeting until further notice.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys postponing decisions until the last moment.
They recommend postponing the project for better preparation.
He avoids postponing important tasks.
Can you imagine postponing your vacation plans indefinitely?
I suggest postponing the meeting until everyone is available.
