When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To represent (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to represent" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to represent my country in the Olympics.
Representing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "representing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Representing your ideas effectively is crucial in a business setting.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To represent (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To represent is an honor for any athlete.
To represent is an honor for any athlete.
- "*To represent*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an honor for any athlete).
- 2Object
She wants me to represent her in the meeting.
She wants me to represent her in the meeting.
- "Me *to represent* her in the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to represent* her in the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a lawyer to represent me in court.
I need a lawyer to represent me in court.
- "*To represent* me in court" modifies the noun "lawyer."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lawyer *to represent* me in court).
Representing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Representing your company professionally is important.
Representing your company professionally is important.
- "*Representing* your company professionally" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important).
- 2Object
I enjoy representing my team in competitions.
I enjoy representing my team in competitions.
- "*Representing* my team in competitions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*representing* my team in competitions).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for representing diverse voices.
She has a talent for representing diverse voices.
- "For *representing* diverse voices" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *representing* diverse voices).
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 represent his company at the conference.
We hope to represent our school in the competition.
They want to represent their community in the elections.
She decided to represent her team in the final match.
They agreed to represent their country in the negotiations.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes representing his clients in court.
We started representing our organization at conferences.
She began representing her school in debates.
They recommend representing yourself honestly in job interviews.
I avoid representing conflicting interests.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to represent his team in international tournaments. He likes representing his team in international tournaments.
We started to represent our company in trade shows. We started representing our company in trade shows.
She began to represent her clients in legal matters. She began representing her clients in legal matters.
