When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To superscribe (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to superscribe" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to superscribe the envelope with the recipient's address.
Superscribing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "superscribing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Superscribing is a common practice in business correspondence.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To superscribe (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To superscribe is an important step in mailing a letter.
To superscribe is an important step in mailing a letter.
- "*To superscribe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in mailing a letter).
- 2Object
She wants me to superscribe the package before sending it.
She wants me to superscribe the package before sending it.
- "Me *to superscribe* the package before sending it" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to superscribe* the package before sending it).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a marker to superscribe the label.
I need a marker to superscribe the label.
- "*To superscribe* the label" modifies the noun "marker."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a marker *to superscribe* the label).
Superscribing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Superscribing helps ensure that the mail reaches the intended recipient.
Superscribing helps ensure that the mail reaches the intended recipient.
- "*Superscribing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (that the mail reaches the intended recipient).
- 2Object
I enjoy superscribing envelopes with decorative calligraphy.
I enjoy superscribing envelopes with decorative calligraphy.
- "*Superscribing* envelopes with decorative calligraphy" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*superscribing* envelopes with decorative calligraphy).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for superscribing important documents.
He has a talent for superscribing important documents.
- "For *superscribing* important documents" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *superscribing* important documents).
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 superscribe the document for better clarity.
They hope to superscribe the invitation cards by tomorrow.
She wants to superscribe her initials on the book cover.
We decided to superscribe the package with fragile stickers.
They agreed to superscribe the envelope with the return address.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys superscribing wedding invitations with elegant designs.
They recommend superscribing the package with a tracking number.
I dislike the task of superscribing multiple envelopes.
He avoids superscribing handwritten addresses on envelopes.
Can you imagine yourself superscribing hundreds of letters by hand?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to superscribe important documents. She likes superscribing important documents.
We started to superscribe our business correspondence. We started superscribing our business correspondence.
He began to superscribe the envelopes for the wedding invitations. He began superscribing the envelopes for the wedding invitations.
