When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To thumb (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to thumb" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to thumb a ride to the next town.
Thumbing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "thumbing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Thumbing a ride can be an adventurous experience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To thumb (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To thumb is an old-fashioned way of hitchhiking.
To thumb is an old-fashioned way of hitchhiking.
- "*To thumb*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an old-fashioned way of hitchhiking).
- 2Object
She wants me to thumb a ride with her.
She wants me to thumb a ride with her.
- "Me *to thumb* a ride with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to thumb* a ride with her).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a map to thumb through.
I need a map to thumb through.
- "*To thumb* through" modifies the noun "map."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a map *to thumb* through).
Thumbing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Thumbing is a common practice in rural areas.
Thumbing is a common practice in rural areas.
- "*Thumbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in rural areas).
- 2Object
I enjoy thumbing rides on long road trips.
I enjoy thumbing rides on long road trips.
- "*Thumbing* rides on long road trips" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*thumbing* rides on long road trips).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for thumbing rides quickly.
She has a knack for thumbing rides quickly.
- "For *thumbing* rides quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *thumbing* rides 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
She plans to thumb a ride to the city tomorrow.
They hope to thumb a ride to their destination.
He wants to thumb a ride to the airport.
We decided to thumb a ride to the concert.
They agreed to thumb a ride together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys thumbing rides from friendly drivers.
They recommend thumbing rides as a budget-friendly travel option.
I dislike the idea of thumbing rides in unfamiliar places.
He avoids thumbing rides late at night.
Can you imagine yourself thumbing a ride across the country?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to thumb rides on country roads. She likes thumbing rides on country roads.
We started to thumb rides when we ran out of gas. We started thumbing rides when we ran out of gas.
He began to thumb rides after his car broke down. He began thumbing rides after his car broke down.
