When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To relight (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to relight" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to relight the candle because it went out.
Relighting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "relighting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Relighting the candles creates a cozy ambiance.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To relight (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To relight the fire is essential for survival in the wilderness.
To relight the fire is essential for survival in the wilderness.
- "*To relight* the fire" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for survival in the wilderness).
- 2Object
She asked him to relight the stove.
She asked him to relight the stove.
- "Him *to relight* the stove" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to relight* the stove).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a match to relight the candle.
He needs a match to relight the candle.
- "*To relight* the candle" modifies the noun "match."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a match *to relight* the candle).
Relighting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Relighting the fire requires patience and skill.
Relighting the fire requires patience and skill.
- "*Relighting* the fire" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
- 2Object
I enjoy relighting the fireplace on cold winter nights.
I enjoy relighting the fireplace on cold winter nights.
- "*Relighting* the fireplace on cold winter nights" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relighting* the fireplace on cold winter nights).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a knack for relighting difficult-to-start fires.
He has a knack for relighting difficult-to-start fires.
- "For *relighting* difficult-to-start fires" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *relighting* difficult-to-start fires).
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 relight the bonfire later tonight.
I hope to relight the fireplace before the guests arrive.
She wants to relight the lantern for camping.
We decided to relight the candles for a romantic atmosphere.
They agreed to relight the torches for the ceremony.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys relighting the candles to create a warm atmosphere.
They recommend relighting the pilot light regularly for safety.
I dislike the task of relighting the gas stove repeatedly.
He avoids relighting the fireworks due to safety concerns.
Can you imagine yourself relighting the campfire under the starry sky?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to relight the candles in my room. I like relighting the candles in my room.
We started to relight the bonfire for the evening gathering. We started relighting the bonfire for the evening gathering.
He began to relight the lantern for the camping trip. He began relighting the lantern for the camping trip.
