When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To stay (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to stay" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to stay at the hotel for another night.
Staying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "staying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Staying at home is a good way to relax.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To stay (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To stay in this city is my dream.
To stay in this city is my dream.
- "*To stay*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my dream).
- 2Object
She wants me to stay with her tonight.
She wants me to stay with her tonight.
- "Me *to stay* with her tonight" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to stay* with her tonight).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a comfortable bed to stay in.
I need a comfortable bed to stay in.
- "*To stay* in" modifies the noun "bed."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable bed *to stay* in).
Staying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Staying up late affects your health.
Staying up late affects your health.
- "*Staying* up late" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (affects) + noun phrase (your health).
- 2Object
I enjoy staying in hotels.
I enjoy staying in hotels.
- "*Staying* in hotels" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*staying* in hotels).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for staying in exotic locations.
He has a passion for staying in exotic locations.
- "For *staying*" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *staying* in exotic locations).
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 stay at the beach for a week.
They hope to stay in a luxury resort during their vacation.
She wants to stay in a cozy cabin.
We decided to stay at a friend's house for the weekend.
They agreed to stay in the same hotel together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys staying at resorts during her vacations.
They recommend staying active for better health.
I dislike the idea of staying in crowded places.
He avoids staying in noisy neighborhoods.
Can you imagine yourself staying in a castle?
