When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To rive (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to rive" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to rive the wood to create smaller pieces.
Riving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "riving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Riving the wood requires strength and precision.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To rive (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To rive is a traditional woodworking technique.
To rive is a traditional woodworking technique.
- "*To rive*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a traditional woodworking technique).
- 2Object
He wants me to rive the logs for the fire.
He wants me to rive the logs for the fire.
- "Me *to rive* the logs for the fire" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rive* the logs for the fire).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a sharp axe to rive the wood.
We need a sharp axe to rive the wood.
- "*To rive* the wood" modifies the noun "axe."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sharp axe *to rive* the wood).
Riving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Riving is an ancient method of splitting wood.
Riving is an ancient method of splitting wood.
- "*Riving*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an ancient method of splitting wood).
- 2Object
I enjoy riving logs for the fireplace.
I enjoy riving logs for the fireplace.
- "*Riving* logs for the fireplace" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*riving* logs for the fireplace).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for riving wood with a mallet.
She has a talent for riving wood with a mallet.
- "For *riving* wood with a mallet" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *riving* wood with a mallet).
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 rive the timber into planks for the project.
They hope to rive the logs into smaller sections.
He wants to rive the board into thin strips.
We decided to rive the log into manageable pieces.
They agreed to rive the timber together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys riving logs into smaller pieces.
They recommend riving the wood along the grain for better results.
I dislike the process of riving the timber.
He avoids riving hardwood due to its density.
Can you imagine yourself riving a large log with an axe?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to rive the wood by hand. She likes riving the wood by hand.
We started to rive our own firewood. We started riving our own firewood.
He began to rive the logs for the cabin construction. He began riving the logs for the cabin construction.
