When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To regulate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to regulate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The government needs to regulate the use of plastic bags to protect the environment.
Regulating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "regulating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Regulating the traffic flow is essential for preventing accidents.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To regulate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To regulate is an important task for the regulatory agency.
To regulate is an important task for the regulatory agency.
- "*To regulate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important task for the regulatory agency).
- 2Object
They want the government to regulate the food industry.
They want the government to regulate the food industry.
- "The government *to regulate* the food industry" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the government *to regulate* the food industry).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a system to regulate online privacy.
We need a system to regulate online privacy.
- "*To regulate* online privacy" modifies the noun "system."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a system *to regulate* online privacy).
Regulating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Regulating traffic is a challenging job for police officers.
Regulating traffic is a challenging job for police officers.
- "*Regulating* traffic" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging job for police officers).
- 2Object
She enjoys regulating the temperature in her home.
She enjoys regulating the temperature in her home.
- "*Regulating* the temperature in her home" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*regulating* the temperature in her home).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a passion for regulating financial markets.
They have a passion for regulating financial markets.
- "For *regulating* financial markets" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *regulating* financial markets).
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 committee decided to regulate the use of pesticides.
She attempted to regulate her sleeping schedule.
The citizens demand the government to regulate air pollution.
He refused to regulate his spending habits.
They pretend to regulate their emotions in stressful situations.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids regulating his children's activities too strictly.
Experts recommend regulating screen time for children.
She is considering regulating her social media usage.
They postponed regulating the use of drones in the city.
He denied regulating access to the building for security reasons.
