When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To segue (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to segue" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to segue smoothly from one topic to another in my presentation.
Segueing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "segueing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Segueing between different genres can be challenging for musicians.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To segue (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To segue effectively requires good timing and preparation.
To segue effectively requires good timing and preparation.
- "*To segue* effectively" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good timing and preparation).
- 2Object
She wants me to segue into the next section of the meeting.
She wants me to segue into the next section of the meeting.
- "Me *to segue* into the next section of the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to segue* into the next section of the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a smooth transition to segue between these two ideas.
I need a smooth transition to segue between these two ideas.
- "*To segue* between these two ideas" modifies the noun "transition."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a smooth transition *to segue* between these two ideas).
Segueing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Segueing from one song to another requires skill and practice.
Segueing from one song to another requires skill and practice.
- "*Segueing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and practice).
- 2Object
I enjoy segueing smoothly between different sections of a story.
I enjoy segueing smoothly between different sections of a story.
- "*Segueing* smoothly between different sections of a story" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*segueing* smoothly between different sections of a story).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for segueing seamlessly from one topic to another.
She has a talent for segueing seamlessly from one topic to another.
- "For *segueing* seamlessly from one topic to another" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *segueing* seamlessly from one topic to another).
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 segue from the introduction to the main content seamlessly.
They hope to segue into a discussion about the future direction.
He wants to segue smoothly into the next part of the performance.
We decided to segue from the first topic to the second with a brief summary.
They agreed to segue from one speaker to another without any interruptions.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys segueing between different dance moves during her performance.
They recommend practicing segueing between different musical styles for versatility.
I dislike the idea of segueing abruptly without a clear connection.
He avoids segueing too frequently, as it can confuse the audience.
Can you imagine yourself segueing between different characters in a play?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to segue smoothly from one scene to another in the movie. She likes segueing smoothly from one scene to another in the movie.
We started to segue into the next chapter of the book. We started segueing into the next chapter of the book.
He began to segue from the introduction to the main argument. He began segueing from the introduction to the main argument.
