When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To retort (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to retort" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
He refused to retort to her rude comment.
Retorting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "retorting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Retorting only escalated the argument.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To retort (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To retort is not always the best response.
To retort is not always the best response.
- "*To retort*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always the best response).
- 2Object
She wants him to retort to her criticism.
She wants him to retort to her criticism.
- "Him *to retort* to her criticism" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to retort* to her criticism).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a valid reason to retort.
They need a valid reason to retort.
- "*To retort*" modifies the noun "reason."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to retort*).
Retorting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Retorting won't solve the problem.
Retorting won't solve the problem.
- "*Retorting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (won't solve) + noun phrase (the problem).
- 2Object
I enjoy retorting to ignorant comments.
I enjoy retorting to ignorant comments.
- "*Retorting* to ignorant comments" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*retorting* to ignorant comments).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for retorting quickly.
She has a knack for retorting quickly.
- "For *retorting* quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *retorting* quickly).
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 retort with a witty comeback.
They hope to retort with confidence in the debate.
He wants to retort to her accusations.
We decided to retort with facts and evidence.
They agreed to retort to his offensive remarks.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys retorting in debates.
They recommend retorting assertively in arguments.
I dislike retorting to insults.
He avoids retorting in heated discussions.
Can you imagine yourself retorting with grace and poise?
