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 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 his main responsibility.
To supply is his main responsibility.
- "*To supply*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his main responsibility).
- 2Object
She asked me to supply the necessary documents.
She asked me to supply the necessary documents.
- "Me *to supply* the necessary documents" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to supply* the necessary documents).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a reliable supplier to supply our products.
We need a reliable supplier to supply our products.
- "*To supply* our products" modifies the noun "supplier."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable supplier *to supply* our products).
Supplying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Supplying affordable housing is crucial for the community.
Supplying affordable housing is crucial for the community.
- "*Supplying*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (affordable housing).
- 2Object
We enjoy supplying our customers with excellent service.
We enjoy supplying our customers with excellent service.
- "*Supplying* our customers with excellent service" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*supplying* our customers with excellent service).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for supplying innovative solutions.
He has a talent for supplying innovative solutions.
- "For *supplying* innovative solutions" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *supplying* innovative 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.
He hopes to supply the necessary resources for the project.
We want to supply the goods to our customers.
She decided to supply the materials herself.
They agreed to supply the products on time.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys supplying the market with unique products.
They recommend supplying high-quality materials for better results.
He avoids supplying substandard products to customers.
Can you imagine yourself supplying goods to international markets?
We are considering supplying the raw materials ourselves.
