When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To shut (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to shut" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to shut the door before we leave.
Shutting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "shutting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Shutting the door quietly, he left the room.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To shut (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To shut the windows is important during a storm.
To shut the windows is important during a storm.
- "*To shut* the windows" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important during a storm).
- 2Object
She wants me to shut the gate.
She wants me to shut the gate.
- "Me *to shut* the gate" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shut* the gate).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a key to shut the lock.
I need a key to shut the lock.
- "*To shut* the lock" modifies the noun "key."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a key *to shut* the lock).
Shutting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Shutting the windows is essential during a storm.
Shutting the windows is essential during a storm.
- "*Shutting* the windows" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential during a storm).
- 2Object
I enjoy shutting the blinds in the evening.
I enjoy shutting the blinds in the evening.
- "*Shutting* the blinds in the evening" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shutting* the blinds in the evening).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of shutting doors loudly.
She has a habit of shutting doors loudly.
- "Of *shutting* doors loudly" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *shutting* doors loudly).
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
We decided to shut the windows and stay inside during the storm.
She plans to shut all the lights before going to bed.
He refused to shut the door and let the cold air in.
They attempted to shut the gate, but it was stuck.
The teacher demanded to shut off all electronic devices during the exam.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids shutting the windows during hot summer days.
They recommend shutting off all electronic devices at bedtime for better sleep.
I am considering shutting down my computer for maintenance.
Can you imagine shutting down the entire city's power supply?
Do you mind shutting the door on your way out?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to shut the curtains before going to bed. She likes shutting the curtains before going to bed.
We started to shut off all the lights when leaving the house. We started shutting off all the lights when leaving the house.
He began to shut the windows during the rainstorm. He began shutting the windows during the rainstorm.
