When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To sell (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to sell" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to sell my old furniture to make some extra money.
Selling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "selling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Selling products online has become increasingly popular.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To sell (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To sell is a common business practice.
To sell is a common business practice.
- "*To sell*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common business practice).
- 2Object
She wants me to sell her car for her.
She wants me to sell her car for her.
- "Me *to sell* her car for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sell* her car for her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a platform to sell my handmade crafts.
I need a platform to sell my handmade crafts.
- "*To sell* my handmade crafts" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to sell* my handmade crafts).
Selling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Selling second-hand items can be profitable.
Selling second-hand items can be profitable.
- "*Selling* second-hand items" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (profitable).
- 2Object
I enjoy selling handmade jewelry at craft fairs.
I enjoy selling handmade jewelry at craft fairs.
- "*Selling* handmade jewelry at craft fairs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*selling* handmade jewelry at craft fairs).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for selling cars.
He has a talent for selling cars.
- "For *selling* cars" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *selling* cars).
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 sell his house and move to a smaller one.
They hope to sell all their products at the upcoming market.
She wants to sell her artwork in a gallery.
We decided to sell our car and buy a new one.
They agreed to sell their shares in the company.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys selling her artwork online.
They recommend starting with a small business by selling homemade products.
I dislike the idea of selling my personal belongings.
He avoids selling products that are not of good quality.
Can you imagine yourself selling your own creations in a store?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to sell her handmade goods at local markets. She likes selling her handmade goods at local markets.
We started to sell our products online. We started selling our products online.
He began to sell his artwork at art galleries. He began selling his artwork at art galleries.
