When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To shout (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to shout" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to shout my opinions at the protest.
Shouting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "shouting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Shouting can be seen as a sign of anger or frustration.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To shout (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To shout is not a polite way to express your frustration.
To shout is not a polite way to express your frustration.
- "*To shout*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a polite way to express your frustration).
- 2Object
She wants me to shout at the concert.
She wants me to shout at the concert.
- "Me *to shout* at the concert" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shout* at the concert).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a megaphone to shout my message.
I need a megaphone to shout my message.
- "*To shout* my message" modifies the noun "megaphone."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a megaphone *to shout* my message).
Shouting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Shouting is not an effective way to communicate your ideas.
Shouting is not an effective way to communicate your ideas.
- "*Shouting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective way to communicate your ideas).
- 2Object
I enjoy shouting at concerts.
I enjoy shouting at concerts.
- "*Shouting* at concerts" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shouting* at concerts).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a headache from all the shouting.
She has a headache from all the shouting.
- "From all the *shouting*" is the object of the preposition "from."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a headache from all the *shouting*).
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 shout his support for the cause at the rally.
They hope to shout their demands during the protest.
She wants to shout her excitement from the rooftops.
We decided to shout our opinions at the town hall meeting.
They agreed to shout slogans together during the demonstration.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys shouting in excitement at sports events.
They recommend avoiding unnecessary shouting in public places.
I dislike the noise caused by excessive shouting.
She avoids shouting in arguments to maintain calmness.
Can you imagine the chaos caused by everyone shouting at once?
