When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To shit (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to shit" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to shit urgently.
Shitting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "shitting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Shitting in public is frowned upon.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To shit (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To shit in public is considered inappropriate.
To shit in public is considered inappropriate.
- "*To shit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered inappropriate).
- 2Object
She wants me to shit in the designated area.
She wants me to shit in the designated area.
- "Me *to shit* in the designated area" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shit* in the designated area).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a clean toilet to shit comfortably.
I need a clean toilet to shit comfortably.
- "*To shit* comfortably" modifies the noun "toilet."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clean toilet *to shit* comfortably).
Shitting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Shitting on the sidewalk is unsanitary.
Shitting on the sidewalk is unsanitary.
- "*Shitting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unsanitary).
- 2Object
I enjoy shitting in the comfort of my own bathroom.
I enjoy shitting in the comfort of my own bathroom.
- "*Shitting* in the comfort of my own bathroom" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shitting* in the comfort of my own bathroom).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a fear of shitting in public restrooms.
He has a fear of shitting in public restrooms.
- "Of *shitting* in public restrooms" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *shitting* in public restrooms).
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 shit in the porta-potty at the festival.
They hope to shit in peace and quiet at home.
He wants to shit in private without any interruptions.
We decided to shit in the hotel bathroom instead of the public restroom.
They agreed to shit outside only in emergencies.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys shitting in the comfort of her own home.
They recommend avoiding shitting in public places.
I dislike the idea of shitting in unsanitary conditions.
He avoids shitting in crowded restrooms.
Can you imagine yourself shitting in front of a large audience?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to shit in the comfort of her own bathroom. She likes shitting in the comfort of her own bathroom.
We started to shit in the newly installed toilet. We started shitting in the newly installed toilet.
He began to shit immediately after drinking coffee. He began shitting immediately after drinking coffee.
