When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To suggest (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to suggest" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I suggest to swim in the morning for a refreshing start to the day.
Suggesting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "suggesting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Suggesting new ideas is always appreciated in the workplace.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To suggest (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To suggest is a great way to share ideas.
To suggest is a great way to share ideas.
- "*To suggest*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to share ideas).
- 2Object
She suggests me to swim in the pool.
She suggests me to swim in the pool.
- "Me *to swim* in the pool" is the object of the verb "suggests."
- Noun (She) + verb (suggests) + noun phrase (me *to swim* in the pool).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a coach to suggest proper swimming techniques.
We need a coach to suggest proper swimming techniques.
- "*To suggest* proper swimming techniques" modifies the noun "coach."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a coach *to suggest* proper swimming techniques).
Suggesting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Suggesting alternatives can lead to better outcomes.
Suggesting alternatives can lead to better outcomes.
- "*Suggesting* alternatives" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (better outcomes).
- 2Object
He enjoys suggesting different activities for the group.
He enjoys suggesting different activities for the group.
- "*Suggesting* different activities for the group" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*suggesting* different activities for the group).
- 3Object of Preposition
We had a discussion about suggesting improvements.
We had a discussion about suggesting improvements.
- "About *suggesting* improvements" is the object of the preposition "about."
- Noun phrase (We) + verb (had) + noun phrase (a discussion about *suggesting* improvements).
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 swim in the ocean next week.
He hopes to swim competitively one day.
We want to swim in the lake this summer.
I decided to swim across the lake.
She agreed to swim in the race with her friend.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy suggesting new restaurants to try.
She recommends suggesting a compromise to resolve the issue.
I dislike the idea of suggesting changes without proper research.
He avoids suggesting unpopular opinions in meetings.
Can you imagine yourself suggesting a new project to your boss?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to suggest creative solutions. He likes suggesting creative solutions.
We started to suggest weekly team meetings. We started suggesting weekly team meetings.
She began to suggest improvements for the website. She began suggesting improvements for the website.
