When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To sip (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to sip" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to sip my coffee slowly and savor the flavor.
Sipping (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "sipping" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Sipping a warm cup of cocoa on a winter evening is so comforting.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To sip (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To sip hot tea is a calming experience.
To sip hot tea is a calming experience.
- "*To sip* hot tea" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a calming experience).
- 2Object
She wants me to sip the wine before dinner.
She wants me to sip the wine before dinner.
- "Me *to sip* the wine before dinner" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sip* the wine before dinner).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a straw to sip the milkshake.
I need a straw to sip the milkshake.
- "*To sip* the milkshake" modifies the noun "straw."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a straw *to sip* the milkshake).
Sipping (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Sipping hot chocolate brings back childhood memories.
Sipping hot chocolate brings back childhood memories.
- "*Sipping* hot chocolate" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (back childhood memories).
- 2Object
I enjoy sipping a glass of wine after a long day.
I enjoy sipping a glass of wine after a long day.
- "*Sipping* a glass of wine after a long day" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sipping* a glass of wine after a long day).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of sipping her coffee slowly.
She has a habit of sipping her coffee slowly.
- "Of *sipping* her coffee slowly" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *sipping* her coffee slowly).
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
They enjoy to sip their cocktails by the pool.
I recommend you to sip the wine to fully appreciate its flavors.
She likes to sip her tea with a slice of lemon.
We chose to sip the champagne for our celebration.
He prefers to sip his coffee black.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids sipping sugary drinks to maintain a healthy diet.
Do you mind sipping your tea without any sweeteners?
They are considering sipping herbal tea for its health benefits.
I recommend sipping water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Let's postpone sipping the wine until after dinner.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to sip her wine slowly. She likes sipping her wine slowly.
We started to sip our coffee together every morning. We started sipping our coffee together every morning.
He began to sip his tea more mindfully. He began sipping his tea more mindfully.
