When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To spellbind (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to spellbind" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The magician wanted to spellbind the audience with his tricks.
Spellbinding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "spellbinding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Spellbinding the audience is the magician's specialty.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To spellbind (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To spellbind is his ultimate goal as a performer.
To spellbind is his ultimate goal as a performer.
- "*To spellbind*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal as a performer).
- 2Object
She asked him to spellbind the guests at the party.
She asked him to spellbind the guests at the party.
- "Him *to spellbind* the guests at the party" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to spellbind* the guests at the party).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need an engaging story to spellbind the readers.
They need an engaging story to spellbind the readers.
- "*To spellbind* the readers" modifies the noun "story."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an engaging story *to spellbind* the readers).
Spellbinding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Spellbinding the audience requires skill and charisma.
Spellbinding the audience requires skill and charisma.
- "*Spellbinding* the audience" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and charisma).
- 2Object
She enjoys spellbinding the audience with her storytelling.
She enjoys spellbinding the audience with her storytelling.
- "*Spellbinding* the audience" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*spellbinding* the audience).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for spellbinding his listeners.
He has a talent for spellbinding his listeners.
- "For *spellbinding* his listeners" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *spellbinding* his listeners).
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 spellbind the audience with his grand finale.
She hopes to spellbind everyone with her singing talent.
We want to spellbind the judges with our dance performance.
They decided to spellbind the crowd with their fireworks display.
He agreed to spellbind the viewers with his magic tricks.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy spellbinding the crowd with their acrobatic performances.
Experts recommend spellbinding storytelling techniques for captivating an audience.
I dislike the idea of spellbinding people with fake illusions.
She avoids spellbinding her audience with repetitive tricks.
Can you imagine yourself spellbinding a large crowd with your talent?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to spellbind his fans with his incredible stage presence. He likes spellbinding his fans with his incredible stage presence.
She started to spellbind audiences from a young age. She started spellbinding audiences from a young age.
They began to spellbind the world with their mind-bending illusions. They began spellbinding the world with their mind-bending illusions.
