When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To slay (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to slay" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to slay the dragon and save the princess.
Slaying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "slaying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Slaying dragons is his favorite pastime.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To slay (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To slay is his ultimate goal.
To slay is his ultimate goal.
- "*To slay*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal).
- 2Object
She wants me to slay the enemy.
She wants me to slay the enemy.
- "Me *to slay* the enemy" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to slay* the enemy).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a sharp sword to slay the beast.
He needs a sharp sword to slay the beast.
- "*To slay* the beast" modifies the noun "sword."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a sharp sword *to slay* the beast).
Slaying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Slaying enemies requires skill and strategy.
Slaying enemies requires skill and strategy.
- "*Slaying* enemies" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and strategy).
- 2Object
I enjoy slaying evil creatures in video games.
I enjoy slaying evil creatures in video games.
- "*Slaying* evil creatures in video games" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*slaying* evil creatures in video games).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for slaying mythical beasts.
He has a passion for slaying mythical beasts.
- "For *slaying* mythical beasts" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *slaying* mythical beasts).
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
He plans to slay the dragon tomorrow.
They hope to slay the evil king and restore peace.
She wants to slay all the monsters in the dungeon.
We decided to slay the giant serpent in the cave.
They agreed to slay the tyrant together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys slaying zombies in virtual reality games.
They recommend regular slaying of virtual enemies for better gaming skills.
I dislike the idea of slaying innocent creatures in fantasy worlds.
He avoids slaying non-aggressive creatures in the game.
Can you imagine yourself slaying dragons in an epic adventure?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to slay monsters in her dreams. She likes slaying monsters in her dreams.
We started to slay demons in the underworld. We started slaying demons in the underworld.
He began to slay evil spirits with his magical powers. He began slaying evil spirits with his magical powers.
