When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To sidetrack (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to sidetrack" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to sidetrack from the main topic for a moment.
Sidetracking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "sidetracking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Sidetracking can be counterproductive in a focused conversation.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To sidetrack (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To sidetrack is not recommended in a serious discussion.
To sidetrack is not recommended in a serious discussion.
- "*To sidetrack*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not recommended).
- 2Object
He asked me to sidetrack from the original plan.
He asked me to sidetrack from the original plan.
- "Me *to sidetrack* from the original plan" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to sidetrack* from the original plan).
- 3Adverb Modifier
We need a break to sidetrack occasionally.
We need a break to sidetrack occasionally.
- "*To sidetrack* occasionally" modifies the noun "break."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a break *to sidetrack* occasionally).
Sidetracking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Sidetracking is a common problem in group discussions.
Sidetracking is a common problem in group discussions.
- "*Sidetracking*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common problem in group discussions).
- 2Object
She enjoys sidetracking from the main topic.
She enjoys sidetracking from the main topic.
- "*Sidetracking* from the main topic" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*sidetracking* from the main topic).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are experts in sidetracking during meetings.
They are experts in sidetracking during meetings.
- "In *sidetracking* during meetings" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (experts in *sidetracking* during meetings).
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 sidetrack from the agenda during the meeting.
They decided to sidetrack from the original plan and explore new ideas.
He hopes to sidetrack briefly to address a related issue.
We agreed to sidetrack from the main discussion to clarify a point.
They refused to sidetrack and stuck to the original topic.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids sidetracking in important discussions.
They recommend against sidetracking during presentations.
I am considering sidetracking to address a related issue.
Do you mind sidetracking for a moment to discuss this?
She suggests sidetracking to explore different perspectives.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to sidetrack and talk about something else. I would like sidetracking to be minimized during the meeting.
Let's start to sidetrack and address this issue first. Let's start sidetracking to find alternative solutions.
He began to sidetrack from the main topic, causing confusion. He began sidetracking without considering the time constraints.
