When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To supply (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to supply" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to supply the necessary materials for the project.
Supplying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "supplying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Supplying quality products is our top priority.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To supply (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To supply is my main responsibility in this job.
To supply is my main responsibility in this job.
- "*To supply*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my main responsibility in this job).
- 2Object
She wants me to supply her with the information.
She wants me to supply her with the information.
- "Me *to supply* her with the information" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to supply* her with the information).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a reliable source to supply me with the latest news.
I need a reliable source to supply me with the latest news.
- "*To supply* me with the latest news" modifies the noun "source."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to supply* me with the latest news).
Supplying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Supplying high-quality goods is essential for customer satisfaction.
Supplying high-quality goods is essential for customer satisfaction.
- "*Supplying* high-quality goods" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for customer satisfaction).
- 2Object
I enjoy supplying people with the items they need.
I enjoy supplying people with the items they need.
- "*Supplying* people with the items they need" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*supplying* people with the items they need).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for supplying creative solutions.
She has a talent for supplying creative solutions.
- "For *supplying* creative solutions" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *supplying* creative solutions).
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 supply the equipment for the event.
We hope to supply the products to our customers on time.
He wants to supply the raw materials for the manufacturing process.
She decided to supply the necessary documents for the application.
They agreed to supply the food for the party.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys supplying customers with excellent service.
They recommend supplying the clients with detailed reports.
I dislike the idea of supplying substandard products.
She avoids supplying unreliable suppliers.
Can you imagine yourself supplying goods to international markets?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to supply the team with the necessary resources. I like supplying the team with the necessary resources.
We started to supply our products to new markets. We started supplying our products to new markets.
He began to supply the company with innovative ideas. He began supplying the company with innovative ideas.
