When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To simmer (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to simmer" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to simmer the soup for an hour to enhance the flavors.
Simmering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "simmering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Simmering the stew slowly will tenderize the meat.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To simmer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To simmer is a common cooking technique.
To simmer is a common cooking technique.
- "*To simmer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common cooking technique).
- 2Object
She wants me to simmer the sauce.
She wants me to simmer the sauce.
- "Me *to simmer* the sauce" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to simmer* the sauce).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a pot to simmer the ingredients.
I need a pot to simmer the ingredients.
- "*To simmer* the ingredients" modifies the noun "pot."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pot *to simmer* the ingredients).
Simmering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Simmering is a slow cooking method.
Simmering is a slow cooking method.
- "*Simmering*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a slow cooking method).
- 2Object
I enjoy simmering soups and stews.
I enjoy simmering soups and stews.
- "*Simmering* soups and stews" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*simmering* soups and stews).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for simmering sauces.
She has a knack for simmering sauces.
- "For *simmering* sauces" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *simmering* sauces).
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 simmer the stew for dinner tonight.
They hope to simmer the vegetables to perfection.
He wants to simmer the soup on low heat.
We decided to simmer the sauce for 30 minutes.
They agreed to simmer the broth together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys simmering the curry for hours.
They recommend simmering the broth for a rich flavor.
I dislike the idea of simmering food for too long.
He avoids simmering the sauce on high heat.
Can you imagine yourself simmering a delicious soup?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to simmer her homemade sauces. She likes simmering her homemade sauces.
We started to simmer the vegetables first. We started simmering the vegetables first.
He began to simmer the stew on low heat. He began simmering the stew on low heat.
