When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To relate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to relate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to relate my personal experiences to others.
Relating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "relating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Relating to different cultures can broaden your perspective.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To relate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To relate is an essential skill in effective communication.
To relate is an essential skill in effective communication.
- "*To relate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill in effective communication).
- 2Object
She wants me to relate my story to the audience.
She wants me to relate my story to the audience.
- "Me *to relate* my story to the audience" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to relate* my story to the audience).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a book to relate to my own experiences.
I need a book to relate to my own experiences.
- "*To relate* to my own experiences" modifies the noun "book."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a book *to relate* to my own experiences).
Relating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Relating to others requires empathy and understanding.
Relating to others requires empathy and understanding.
- "*Relating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (empathy and understanding).
- 2Object
I enjoy relating to people from diverse backgrounds.
I enjoy relating to people from diverse backgrounds.
- "*Relating* to people from diverse backgrounds" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relating* to people from diverse backgrounds).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for relating to children.
She has a talent for relating to children.
- "For *relating* to children" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *relating* to children).
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
He plans to relate his findings to the research question.
We hope to relate our findings to real-world applications.
They want to relate their experiences to a wider audience.
She decided to relate her story to the media.
We agreed to relate our findings to the existing literature.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys relating to different cultures through travel.
Experts recommend relating to nature for mental well-being.
I dislike the idea of relating to dishonest people.
She avoids relating to toxic individuals.
Can you imagine yourself relating to people from different generations?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to relate their personal stories to inspire others. They like relating their personal stories to inspire others.
He started to relate his experiences in a blog. He started relating his experiences in a blog.
She began to relate her dreams to reality. She began relating her dreams to reality.
