When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To surrender (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to surrender" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to surrender to the enemy.
Surrendering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "surrendering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Surrendering is seen as a sign of weakness.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To surrender (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To surrender is not an option for us.
To surrender is not an option for us.
- "*To surrender*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an option for us).
- 2Object
She wants him to surrender his weapon.
She wants him to surrender his weapon.
- "Him *to surrender* his weapon" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to surrender* his weapon).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a peaceful solution to surrender our weapons.
We need a peaceful solution to surrender our weapons.
- "*To surrender* our weapons" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a peaceful solution *to surrender* our weapons).
Surrendering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Surrendering is not an easy decision.
Surrendering is not an easy decision.
- "*Surrendering*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an easy decision).
- 2Object
I dislike the idea of surrendering our freedom.
I dislike the idea of surrendering our freedom.
- "The idea of *surrendering* our freedom" is the object of the verb "dislike."
- Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (the idea of *surrendering* our freedom).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has no intention of surrendering to the enemy.
She has no intention of surrendering to the enemy.
- "Of *surrendering* to the enemy" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (no intention of *surrendering* to the enemy).
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 surrender at dawn.
I hope to surrender without any casualties.
He wants to surrender peacefully.
We decided to surrender and end the conflict.
They agreed to surrender their weapons.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy surrendering themselves to the music.
I recommend surrendering control to a professional.
He dislikes surrendering his independence.
We should avoid surrendering our principles.
Can you imagine surrendering your dreams?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to surrender and end this conflict. I would like surrendering to be the last resort.
She started to surrender her possessions. She started surrendering one by one.
They began to surrender their territory. They began surrendering piece by piece.
