When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To restitch (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to restitch" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to restitch the seam on my shirt.
Restitching (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "restitching" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Restitching is a time-consuming task.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To restitch (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To restitch requires a steady hand and attention to detail.
To restitch requires a steady hand and attention to detail.
- "*To restitch*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a steady hand and attention to detail).
- 2Object
She wants me to restitch her torn dress.
She wants me to restitch her torn dress.
- "Me *to restitch* her torn dress" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to restitch* her torn dress).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a needle to restitch the fabric.
He needs a needle to restitch the fabric.
- "*To restitch* the fabric" modifies the noun "needle."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a needle *to restitch* the fabric).
Restitching (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Restitching requires precision and patience.
Restitching requires precision and patience.
- "*Restitching*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and patience).
- 2Object
I enjoy restitching old garments.
I enjoy restitching old garments.
- "*Restitching* old garments" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*restitching* old garments).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for restitching torn fabrics.
She has a knack for restitching torn fabrics.
- "For *restitching* torn fabrics" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *restitching* torn fabrics).
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
She plans to restitch the buttons on her coat tomorrow.
They hope to restitch the torn upholstery on their couch.
He wants to restitch the hem of his pants.
We decided to restitch the ripped seams on our curtains.
They agreed to restitch the loose threads together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys restitching vintage clothing pieces.
They recommend regular restitching to maintain the quality of your items.
I dislike the idea of restitching delicate fabrics.
He avoids restitching complicated patterns.
Can you imagine yourself restitching intricate embroidery designs?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to restitch her own clothes. She likes restitching her own clothes.
We started to restitch our torn upholstery. We started restitching our torn upholstery.
He began to restitch the buttons on his shirts. He began restitching the buttons on his shirts.
