When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To synchronize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to synchronize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to synchronize my devices for seamless connectivity.
Synchronizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "synchronizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Synchronizing your devices can save you time and effort.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To synchronize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To synchronize is essential for teamwork in a project.
To synchronize is essential for teamwork in a project.
- "*To synchronize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for teamwork in a project).
- 2Object
She wants me to synchronize all the files.
She wants me to synchronize all the files.
- "Me *to synchronize* all the files" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to synchronize* all the files).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a software to synchronize my calendars.
I need a software to synchronize my calendars.
- "*To synchronize* my calendars" modifies the noun "software."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to synchronize* my calendars).
Synchronizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Synchronizing is crucial for maintaining accurate data.
Synchronizing is crucial for maintaining accurate data.
- "*Synchronizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for maintaining accurate data).
- 2Object
I enjoy synchronizing my files across different devices.
I enjoy synchronizing my files across different devices.
- "*Synchronizing* my files across different devices" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*synchronizing* my files across different devices).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for synchronizing complex systems.
She has a knack for synchronizing complex systems.
- "For *synchronizing* complex systems" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *synchronizing* complex systems).
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
She plans to synchronize the data tomorrow.
They hope to synchronize their schedules for the meeting.
He wants to synchronize his music across all devices.
We decided to synchronize our watches before the event.
They agreed to synchronize their efforts for better results.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys synchronizing her email accounts regularly.
They recommend regularly synchronizing your devices for optimal performance.
I dislike the process of synchronizing large amounts of data.
He avoids synchronizing sensitive information on public networks.
Can you imagine the convenience of synchronizing your tasks across all devices?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to synchronize her contacts with her laptop. She likes synchronizing her contacts with her laptop.
We started to synchronize our calendars for better organization. We started synchronizing our calendars for better organization.
He began to synchronize his devices every morning. He began synchronizing his devices every morning.
