When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To snap (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to snap" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to snap a photo of that beautiful sunset.
Snapping (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "snapping" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Snapping photos is a hobby of mine.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To snap (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To snap is a quick and easy way to capture memories.
To snap is a quick and easy way to capture memories.
- "*To snap*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a quick and easy way to capture memories).
- 2Object
She wants me to snap a picture of her and her friends.
She wants me to snap a picture of her and her friends.
- "Me *to snap* a picture of her and her friends" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to snap* a picture of her and her friends).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a new camera to snap high-quality photos.
I need a new camera to snap high-quality photos.
- "*To snap* high-quality photos" modifies the noun "camera."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new camera *to snap* high-quality photos).
Snapping (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Snapping photos brings me joy.
Snapping photos brings me joy.
- "*Snapping* photos" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (me joy).
- 2Object
I enjoy snapping pictures of nature.
I enjoy snapping pictures of nature.
- "*Snapping* pictures of nature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*snapping* pictures of nature).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for snapping stunning photographs.
He has a talent for snapping stunning photographs.
- "For *snapping* stunning photographs" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *snapping* stunning photographs).
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 snap some pictures at the party tonight.
They hope to snap a selfie with their favorite celebrity.
She wants to snap a photo of the rare bird.
We decided to snap some pictures on our road trip.
They agreed to snap some candid shots for the album.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys snapping selfies with her friends.
They recommend snapping photos as a form of creative expression.
I dislike the idea of snapping pictures in crowded places.
He avoids snapping photos in low lighting conditions.
Can you imagine yourself snapping pictures in exotic locations?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to snap candid shots of people. She likes snapping candid shots of people.
We started to snap photos professionally. We started snapping photos professionally.
He began to snap pictures of birds. He began snapping pictures of birds.
