When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To ramble (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to ramble" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to ramble through the forest and explore nature.
Rambling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "rambling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Rambling is a great way to explore new places.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To ramble (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To ramble is a great way to clear your mind.
To ramble is a great way to clear your mind.
- "*To ramble*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to clear your mind).
- 2Object
She wants me to ramble with her in the park.
She wants me to ramble with her in the park.
- "Me *to ramble* with her in the park" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to ramble* with her in the park).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need comfortable shoes to ramble for hours.
I need comfortable shoes to ramble for hours.
- "Comfortable shoes *to ramble* for hours" modifies the noun "shoes."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (comfortable shoes *to ramble* for hours).
Rambling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Rambling helps improve cardiovascular fitness.
Rambling helps improve cardiovascular fitness.
- "*Rambling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (improve cardiovascular fitness).
- 2Object
I enjoy rambling in the countryside.
I enjoy rambling in the countryside.
- "*Rambling* in the countryside" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rambling* in the countryside).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for rambling.
She has a passion for rambling.
- "For *rambling*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *rambling*).
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 ramble along the beach tomorrow.
They hope to ramble through the countryside during their vacation.
He wants to ramble in the mountains.
We decided to ramble in the park this weekend.
They agreed to ramble together in the forest.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys rambling in the forest every weekend.
They recommend regular rambling for better mental health.
I dislike the idea of rambling in crowded areas.
He avoids rambling alone in remote places.
Can you imagine yourself rambling in the mountains?
