When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To remember (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to remember" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to remember all the important details.
Remembering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "remembering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Remembering names can be challenging sometimes.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To remember (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To remember is crucial in this job.
To remember is crucial in this job.
- "*To remember*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (crucial).
- 2Object
She wants me to remember her birthday.
She wants me to remember her birthday.
- "Me *to remember* her birthday" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to remember* her birthday).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a notepad to remember all the tasks.
I need a notepad to remember all the tasks.
- "*To remember* all the tasks" modifies the noun "notepad."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a notepad *to remember* all the tasks).
Remembering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Remembering names is important in social settings.
Remembering names is important in social settings.
- "*Remembering* names" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in social settings).
- 2Object
I enjoy remembering childhood memories.
I enjoy remembering childhood memories.
- "*Remembering* childhood memories" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*remembering* childhood memories).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for remembering faces.
She has a talent for remembering faces.
- "For *remembering* faces" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *remembering* faces).
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 remember all the important dates.
They hope to remember their lines during the performance.
She wants to remember the directions to the restaurant.
We decided to remember this moment forever.
They agreed to remember the rules of the game.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys remembering his travels around the world.
They recommend remembering important dates and events.
I dislike remembering past mistakes.
She avoids remembering traumatic experiences.
Can you imagine remembering every detail of your dreams?
