When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To revise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to revise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to revise my essay before submitting it.
Revising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "revising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Revising your work can lead to improvements.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To revise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To revise is an essential step in the writing process.
To revise is an essential step in the writing process.
- "*To revise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential step in the writing process).
- 2Object
She wants me to revise her paper.
She wants me to revise her paper.
- "Me *to revise* her paper" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to revise* her paper).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a quiet space to revise my notes.
I need a quiet space to revise my notes.
- "*To revise* my notes" modifies the noun "space."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet space *to revise* my notes).
Revising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Revising is a crucial part of the editing process.
Revising is a crucial part of the editing process.
- "*Revising*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial part of the editing process).
- 2Object
I enjoy revising my writing to make it better.
I enjoy revising my writing to make it better.
- "*Revising* my writing to make it better" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*revising* my writing to make it better).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of revising her work multiple times.
She has a habit of revising her work multiple times.
- "Of *revising* her work multiple times" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *revising* her work multiple times).
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 revise his presentation before the meeting.
They want you to revise their report by tomorrow.
We decided to revise the schedule for the project.
She hopes to revise her manuscript before sending it to the publisher.
He attempted to revise the code to fix the error.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend revising your resume before applying for a job.
I avoid revising my work at the last minute.
He is considering revising his research question for the study.
Do you mind revising the document for me?
She postponed revising her essay until the weekend.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to revise my writing for clarity. I like revising my writing for clarity.
They started to revise the project proposal. They started revising the project proposal.
He began to revise his notes before the exam. He began revising his notes before the exam.
