When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To straddle (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to straddle" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to straddle the fence to get a better view.
Straddling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "straddling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Straddling the fence can be a risky move.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To straddle (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To straddle is a common technique in horseback riding.
To straddle is a common technique in horseback riding.
- "*To straddle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common technique in horseback riding).
- 2Object
She wants me to straddle the motorcycle.
She wants me to straddle the motorcycle.
- "Me *to straddle* the motorcycle" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to straddle* the motorcycle).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a wide fence to straddle comfortably.
I need a wide fence to straddle comfortably.
- "*To straddle* comfortably" modifies the noun "fence."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a wide fence *to straddle* comfortably).
Straddling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Straddling two chairs is not comfortable.
Straddling two chairs is not comfortable.
- "*Straddling* two chairs" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not comfortable).
- 2Object
I enjoy straddling the motorcycle.
I enjoy straddling the motorcycle.
- "*Straddling* the motorcycle" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*straddling* the motorcycle).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of straddling high places.
She has a fear of straddling high places.
- "Of *straddling* high places" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *straddling* high places).
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 plans to straddle the beam in her gymnastics routine.
They hope to straddle both sides of the argument during the debate.
He wants to straddle the line between art and science.
We decided to straddle two different career paths.
They agreed to straddle the boundary between fiction and non-fiction.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys straddling the balance beam during her gymnastics routine.
They recommend straddling different genres for creative writing.
I dislike the feeling of straddling uncomfortable surfaces.
He avoids straddling narrow ledges.
Can you imagine yourself straddling a unicycle?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to straddle the fence. She likes straddling the fence.
We started to straddle bicycles at a young age. We started straddling bicycles at a young age.
He began to straddle the balance beam in gymnastics class. He began straddling the balance beam in gymnastics class.
