When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To sell (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to sell" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to sell my old car to buy a new one.
Selling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "selling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Selling products online is a popular business model.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To sell (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To sell is a common activity in the business world.
To sell is a common activity in the business world.
- "*To sell*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common activity in the business world).
- 2Object
He asked me to sell his house.
He asked me to sell his house.
- "Me *to sell* his house" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to sell* his house).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a platform to sell our products online.
We need a platform to sell our products online.
- "*To sell* our products online" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to sell* our products online).
Selling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Selling cars requires good negotiation skills.
Selling cars requires good negotiation skills.
- "*Selling* cars" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good negotiation skills).
- 2Object
I enjoy selling handmade jewelry at local markets.
I enjoy selling handmade jewelry at local markets.
- "*Selling* handmade jewelry at local markets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*selling* handmade jewelry at local markets).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for selling houses.
She has a talent for selling houses.
- "For *selling* houses" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *selling* houses).
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 decided to sell her artwork at the local art fair.
They plan to sell their house and move to a different city.
He wants to sell his collection of rare books.
We attempted to sell our homemade crafts at the craft fair.
They hope to sell all their inventory during the sale.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids selling low-quality products to maintain his reputation.
They recommend selling online for wider reach and higher profits.
Do you mind selling your old clothes at the garage sale?
I am considering selling my artwork at a local gallery.
She resisted selling her family heirlooms despite financial difficulties.
