When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To renew (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to renew" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to renew my passport before it expires.
Renewing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "renewing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Renewing your driver's license can be done online.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To renew (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To renew your membership, please fill out the form.
To renew your membership, please fill out the form.
- "*To renew*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (your membership).
- 2Object
She asked him to renew the contract.
She asked him to renew the contract.
- "Him *to renew* the contract" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to renew* the contract).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a reminder to renew my driver's license.
I need a reminder to renew my driver's license.
- "*To renew* my driver's license" modifies the noun "reminder."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reminder *to renew* my driver's license).
Renewing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Renewing your passport is a necessary step before traveling.
Renewing your passport is a necessary step before traveling.
- "*Renewing* your passport" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step before traveling).
- 2Object
He enjoys renewing his library books.
He enjoys renewing his library books.
- "*Renewing* his library books" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*renewing* his library books).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a deadline for renewing her contract.
She has a deadline for renewing her contract.
- "For *renewing* her contract" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a deadline for *renewing* her contract).
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 renew their wedding vows next year.
We hope to renew our lease for another year.
He wants to renew his gym membership.
She decided to renew her subscription to the magazine.
They agreed to renew their contract for another year.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
I enjoy renewing my gym membership every year.
They recommend regularly renewing your car insurance policy.
He dislikes the process of renewing his driver's license.
She avoids renewing her library books late.
Can you imagine yourself renewing your wedding vows in a romantic setting?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to renew her subscription to the magazine. She likes renewing her subscription to the magazine.
They started to renew their business license. They started renewing their business license.
He began to renew his passport before the trip. He began renewing his passport before the trip.
