When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To separate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to separate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to separate the recyclables from the trash.
Separating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "separating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Separating recyclables from the trash is important for proper waste management.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To separate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To separate the clothes, you need to sort them by color.
To separate the clothes, you need to sort them by color.
- "*To separate* the clothes" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (need) + noun phrase (the clothes).
- 2Object
She asked him to separate the documents into different folders.
She asked him to separate the documents into different folders.
- "Him *to separate* the documents into different folders" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to separate* the documents into different folders).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a barrier to separate the two areas.
We need a barrier to separate the two areas.
- "*To separate* the two areas" modifies the noun "barrier."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a barrier *to separate* the two areas).
Separating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Separating recyclables helps reduce landfill waste.
Separating recyclables helps reduce landfill waste.
- "*Separating* recyclables" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (reduce landfill waste).
- 2Object
She enjoys separating the clothes by type and color.
She enjoys separating the clothes by type and color.
- "*Separating* the clothes by type and color" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*separating* the clothes by type and color).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a system in place for efficient separating of recyclable materials.
They have a system in place for efficient separating of recyclable materials.
- "For efficient *separating* of recyclable materials" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a system in place for efficient *separating* of recyclable materials).
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
They plan to separate the items into categories for easier organization.
He decided to separate the different types of waste for recycling purposes.
She attempted to separate the ingredients before starting the recipe.
We managed to separate the conflicting opinions and find a solution.
They refused to separate their belongings after the divorce.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys separating the items into different piles for recycling.
We recommend separating the food waste from other garbage for composting.
She avoids separating the recyclables from the trash, causing contamination.
They are considering separating their household waste for better environmental impact.
Can you imagine yourself separating the materials at a recycling center?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to separate my clothes by color. I like separating my clothes by color.
She started to separate the items into different bins. She started separating the items into different bins.
He began to separate the recyclables from the trash. He began separating the recyclables from the trash.
