When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To swill (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to swill" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to swill this drink to get rid of the bad taste.
Swilling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "swilling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Swilling the drink will not make it taste better.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To swill (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To swill is not a proper way to drink.
To swill is not a proper way to drink.
- "*To swill*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not a proper way to drink).
- 2Object
She wants me to swill this liquid.
She wants me to swill this liquid.
- "Me *to swill* this liquid" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to swill* this liquid).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a glass to swill the mixture.
I need a glass to swill the mixture.
- "*To swill* the mixture" modifies the noun "glass."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a glass *to swill* the mixture).
Swilling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Swilling is not an elegant way to consume beverages.
Swilling is not an elegant way to consume beverages.
- "*Swilling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not an elegant way to consume beverages).
- 2Object
I enjoy swilling this cocktail at parties.
I enjoy swilling this cocktail at parties.
- "*Swilling* this cocktail at parties" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*swilling* this cocktail at parties).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a habit of swilling his drinks quickly.
He has a habit of swilling his drinks quickly.
- "Of *swilling* his drinks quickly" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *swilling* his drinks quickly).
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 hope to swill this concoction for good luck.
He wants to swill the champagne to celebrate.
We decided to swill this potion for its healing properties.
They agreed to swill this elixir together.
She pretended to swill the poison, but it was just an act.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys swilling the wine to savor its flavors.
They recommend swilling water to stay hydrated.
I avoid swilling sugary drinks for better health.
Can you imagine yourself swilling this beverage in one gulp?
He can't resist swilling the juice when it's freshly squeezed.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to swill her coffee in the morning. She likes swilling her coffee in the morning.
We started to swill the drinks at the party. We started swilling the drinks at the party.
He began to swill the beer as soon as it arrived. He began swilling the beer as soon as it arrived.
