When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To remark (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to remark" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
She promised to remark on the presentation after reviewing it.
Remarking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "remarking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Remarking on other people's mistakes is not polite.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To remark (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To remark is a form of communication.
To remark is a form of communication.
- "*To remark*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of communication).
- 2Object
He wants me to remark on his performance.
He wants me to remark on his performance.
- "Me *to remark* on his performance" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to remark* on his performance).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a pen to remark their corrections.
They need a pen to remark their corrections.
- "*To remark* their corrections" modifies the noun "pen."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to remark* their corrections).
Remarking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Remarking can be seen as criticism.
Remarking can be seen as criticism.
- "*Remarking*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be seen) + noun phrase (criticism).
- 2Object
She enjoys remarking on funny moments.
She enjoys remarking on funny moments.
- "*Remarking* on funny moments" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*remarking* on funny moments).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a habit of remarking on everything.
He has a habit of remarking on everything.
- "Of *remarking* on everything" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *remarking* on everything).
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
We decided to remark on the issue during the meeting.
She hopes to remark on the positive aspects of the project.
He wants to remark on the importance of teamwork.
They attempted to remark on the significance of the research.
We agreed to remark on the potential solutions to the problem.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They consider remarking on the issue as unnecessary.
I recommend remarking on the positive aspects of the project.
She avoids remarking on sensitive topics.
He delayed remarking on the matter until further notice.
They deny remarking on the incident.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to remark on interesting observations. I like remarking on interesting observations.
She began to remark on the importance of teamwork. She began remarking on the importance of teamwork.
They continue to remark on the progress of the project. They continue remarking on the progress of the project.
