When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To teach (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to teach" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to teach English as a second language.
Teaching (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "teaching" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Teaching is a noble profession.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To teach (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To teach is a rewarding profession.
To teach is a rewarding profession.
- "*To teach*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a rewarding profession).
- 2Object
She wants me to teach her how to play the guitar.
She wants me to teach her how to play the guitar.
- "Me *to teach* her how to play the guitar" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to teach* her how to play the guitar).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a whiteboard to teach my students.
I need a whiteboard to teach my students.
- "*To teach* my students" modifies the noun "whiteboard."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a whiteboard *to teach* my students).
Teaching (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Teaching requires patience and dedication.
Teaching requires patience and dedication.
- "*Teaching*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and dedication).
- 2Object
I enjoy teaching children how to read.
I enjoy teaching children how to read.
- "*Teaching* children how to read" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*teaching* children how to read).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for teaching music.
She has a passion for teaching music.
- "For *teaching* music" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *teaching* music).
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 teach a cooking class next month.
They hope to teach abroad after graduation.
He wants to teach math at the university level.
We decided to teach online instead of in-person.
They agreed to teach together at the summer camp.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys teaching art to her students.
They recommend teaching as a fulfilling career choice.
I dislike the idea of teaching online classes.
He avoids teaching large groups of students.
Can you imagine yourself teaching in a foreign country?
