When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To rebind (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to rebind" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to rebind my book because the pages are falling out.
Rebinding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "rebinding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Rebinding old books is a popular hobby.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To rebind (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To rebind is a time-consuming process.
To rebind is a time-consuming process.
- "*To rebind*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-consuming process).
- 2Object
She wants me to rebind her journal.
She wants me to rebind her journal.
- "Me *to rebind* her journal" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rebind* her journal).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a sturdy cover to rebind my book.
I need a sturdy cover to rebind my book.
- "*To rebind* my book" modifies the noun "cover."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy cover *to rebind* my book).
Rebinding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Rebinding requires patience and skill.
Rebinding requires patience and skill.
- "*Rebinding*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
- 2Object
I enjoy rebinding vintage novels.
I enjoy rebinding vintage novels.
- "*Rebinding* vintage novels" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rebinding* vintage novels).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for rebinding old manuscripts.
She has a passion for rebinding old manuscripts.
- "For *rebinding* old manuscripts" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *rebinding* old manuscripts).
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 rebind all her old notebooks.
They hope to rebind their favorite novels.
He wants to rebind his family photo album.
We decided to rebind our collection of magazines.
They agreed to rebind the damaged books together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys rebinding leather-bound books.
They recommend professional assistance for rebinding valuable documents.
I dislike the process of rebinding worn-out paperbacks.
He avoids rebinding books with delicate pages.
Can you imagine yourself rebinding ancient manuscripts?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to rebind old diaries. She likes rebinding old diaries.
We started to rebind our photo albums. We started rebinding our photo albums.
He began to rebind his collection of poetry books. He began rebinding his collection of poetry books.
