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.
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 enhances the flavor of the sauce.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To simmer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To simmer is a gentle cooking method.
To simmer is a gentle cooking method.
- "*To simmer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a gentle cooking method).
- 2Object
She wants me to simmer the stew.
She wants me to simmer the stew.
- "Me *to simmer* the stew" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to simmer* the stew).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a pot to simmer the sauce.
I need a pot to simmer the sauce.
- "*To simmer* the sauce" modifies the noun "pot."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pot *to simmer* the sauce).
Simmering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Simmering is a common cooking technique.
Simmering is a common cooking technique.
- "*Simmering*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common cooking technique).
- 2Object
I enjoy simmering the soup on low heat.
I enjoy simmering the soup on low heat.
- "*Simmering* the soup on low heat" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*simmering* the soup on low heat).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for simmering flavorful stews.
She has a passion for simmering flavorful stews.
- "For *simmering* flavorful stews" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *simmering* flavorful stews).
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 curry for dinner.
They hope to simmer the vegetables until they are tender.
He wants to simmer the meat in red wine.
We decided to simmer the beans overnight.
They agreed to simmer the broth for two hours.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys simmering the pasta sauce for hours.
They recommend simmering the spices before adding them to the dish.
I dislike the smell of simmering onions.
He avoids simmering the soup for too long.
Can you imagine the aroma of simmering herbs and spices?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to simmer the soup slowly. She likes simmering the soup slowly.
We started to simmer the stew at noon. We started simmering the stew at noon.
He began to simmer the sauce on low heat. He began simmering the sauce on low heat.
