When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To secure (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to secure" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to secure my belongings before leaving.
Securing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "securing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Securing a loan requires a good credit score.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To secure (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To secure a loan can be a lengthy process.
To secure a loan can be a lengthy process.
- "*To secure* a loan" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a lengthy process).
- 2Object
She wants me to secure the perimeter of the building.
She wants me to secure the perimeter of the building.
- "Me *to secure* the perimeter of the building" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to secure* the perimeter of the building).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a strong lock to secure our front door.
We need a strong lock to secure our front door.
- "*To secure* our front door" modifies the noun "lock."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong lock *to secure* our front door).
Securing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Securing funding is crucial for startups.
Securing funding is crucial for startups.
- "*Securing* funding" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for startups).
- 2Object
She enjoys securing new clients for her business.
She enjoys securing new clients for her business.
- "*Securing* new clients for her business" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*securing* new clients for her business).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for securing lucrative deals.
He has a talent for securing lucrative deals.
- "For *securing* lucrative deals" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *securing* lucrative deals).
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 secure the area with cameras.
I hope to secure a job in the cybersecurity field.
They want to secure their data from hackers.
We decided to secure our home with an alarm system.
The team agreed to secure the premises before the event.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy securing their financial future.
Experts recommend securing your personal information online.
She avoids securing loans with high interest rates.
Can you imagine securing a promotion at work?
He is considering securing a patent for his invention.
