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 country is a matter of pride.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To represent (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To represent is a great honor.
To represent is a great honor.
- "*To represent*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great honor).
- 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 country requires dedication and hard work.
Representing your country requires dedication and hard work.
- "*Representing* your country" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
- 2Object
I enjoy representing my team in the competition.
I enjoy representing my team in the competition.
- "*Representing* my team in the competition" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*representing* my team in the competition).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for representing different characters.
She has a talent for representing different characters.
- "For *representing* different characters" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *representing* different characters).
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 represent their company at the conference next week.
I hope to represent my school in the debate competition.
He wants to represent his team in the final match.
We decided to represent our community in the charity event.
They agreed to represent their organization at the board meeting.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys representing his company at business meetings.
They recommend representing yourself confidently in job interviews.
I dislike the idea of representing a controversial viewpoint.
She avoids representing clients with conflicting interests.
Can you imagine yourself representing your country on the world stage?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to represent her community in local events. She likes representing her community in local events.
We started to represent our school in sports competitions. We started representing our school in sports competitions.
He began to represent his company in international conferences. He began representing his company in international conferences.
