When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To testify (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to testify" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I promise to testify in court.
Testifying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "testifying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Testifying can be a nerve-wracking experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To testify (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To testify is a civic duty.
To testify is a civic duty.
- "*To testify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a civic duty).
- 2Object
She wants me to testify on her behalf.
She wants me to testify on her behalf.
- "Me *to testify* on her behalf" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to testify* on her behalf).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a lawyer to testify in his defense.
He needs a lawyer to testify in his defense.
- "*To testify* in his defense" modifies the noun "lawyer."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a lawyer *to testify* in his defense).
Testifying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Testifying is an important part of the legal process.
Testifying is an important part of the legal process.
- "*Testifying*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of the legal process).
- 2Object
I enjoy testifying in court.
I enjoy testifying in court.
- "*Testifying* in court" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*testifying* in court).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has experience with testifying in high-profile cases.
He has experience with testifying in high-profile cases.
- "With *testifying* in high-profile cases" is the object of the preposition "with."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience with *testifying* in high-profile cases).
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 testify as witnesses at the trial.
We hope to testify against the accused.
He wants to testify about what he saw.
She decided to testify under oath.
They agreed to testify confidentially.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys testifying as an expert witness.
They recommend testifying honestly and accurately.
He avoids testifying in complicated cases.
I am considering testifying on behalf of the defendant.
Can you imagine yourself testifying in front of a jury?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to testify in high-stakes trials. She likes testifying in high-stakes trials.
We started to testify about the incident. We started testifying about the incident.
He began to testify as an eyewitness. He began testifying as an eyewitness.
