When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To runneth (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to runneth" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to runneth in the marathon to challenge myself.
Running (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "running" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Running is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To runneth (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To runneth requires strength and endurance.
To runneth requires strength and endurance.
- "*To runneth*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and endurance).
- 2Object
She wants me to runneth with her in the race.
She wants me to runneth with her in the race.
- "Me *to runneth* with her in the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to runneth* with her in the race).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a track to runneth laps.
I need a track to runneth laps.
- "*To runneth* laps" modifies the noun "track."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a track *to runneth* laps).
Running (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Running helps to reduce stress levels.
Running helps to reduce stress levels.
- "*Running*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (to reduce stress levels).
- 2Object
I enjoy running in the park.
I enjoy running in the park.
- "*Running* in the park" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*running* in the park).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for running marathons.
She has a passion for running marathons.
- "For *running* marathons" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *running* marathons).
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 runneth a marathon next year.
They hope to runneth a half marathon in under two hours.
He wants to runneth a 5K race for charity.
We decided to runneth a relay race together.
They agreed to runneth in the marathon as a team.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys running on the treadmill every morning.
They recommend regular running for better cardiovascular health.
He avoids running in extreme weather conditions.
Can you imagine yourself running a marathon?
I am considering running a half marathon next year.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to runneth in the park. She likes running in the park.
We started to runneth together as a running group. We started running together as a running group.
He began to runneth marathons at a young age. He began running marathons at a young age.
