When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To split (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to split" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to split the bill with you.
Splitting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "splitting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Splitting the chores can make things easier.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To split (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To split the cost is a fair solution.
To split the cost is a fair solution.
- "*To split* the cost" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fair solution).
- 2Object
She wants me to split the work load.
She wants me to split the work load.
- "Me *to split* the work load" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to split* the work load).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a knife to split the fruit.
I need a knife to split the fruit.
- "*To split* the fruit" modifies the noun "knife."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a knife *to split* the fruit).
Splitting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Splitting the bill is a common practice among friends.
Splitting the bill is a common practice among friends.
- "*Splitting* the bill" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice among friends).
- 2Object
I enjoy splitting logs for firewood.
I enjoy splitting logs for firewood.
- "*Splitting* logs for firewood" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*splitting* logs for firewood).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for splitting hairs.
He has a talent for splitting hairs.
- "For *splitting* hairs" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *splitting* hairs).
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 plan to split the expenses evenly.
I hope to split the winnings with my team.
He wants to split the profits equally.
We decided to split the tasks among ourselves.
They agreed to split the prize money.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys splitting the tasks with her team members.
They recommend splitting the responsibilities evenly.
I dislike the idea of splitting the bill with strangers.
He avoids splitting the workload with lazy colleagues.
Can you imagine yourself splitting your time between two jobs?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to split a dessert with my friend. I like splitting a dessert with my friend.
They started to split the chores in their household. They started splitting the chores in their household.
We began to split the responsibilities equally. We began splitting the responsibilities equally.
