When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To tidy (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to tidy" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to tidy my room before guests arrive.
Tidying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "tidying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Tidying helps create a clutter-free environment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To tidy (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To tidy is an important chore for maintaining a clean living space.
To tidy is an important chore for maintaining a clean living space.
- "*To tidy*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important chore for maintaining a clean living space).
- 2Object
She wants me to tidy the kitchen after dinner.
She wants me to tidy the kitchen after dinner.
- "Me *to tidy* the kitchen after dinner" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to tidy* the kitchen after dinner).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a vacuum cleaner to tidy the carpet.
He needs a vacuum cleaner to tidy the carpet.
- "*To tidy* the carpet" modifies the noun "vacuum cleaner."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a vacuum cleaner *to tidy* the carpet).
Tidying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Tidying is an essential part of housekeeping.
Tidying is an essential part of housekeeping.
- "*Tidying*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of housekeeping).
- 2Object
I enjoy tidying my workspace to increase productivity.
I enjoy tidying my workspace to increase productivity.
- "*Tidying* my workspace" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tidying* my workspace).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for tidying up quickly.
She has a talent for tidying up quickly.
- "For *tidying* up quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *tidying* up 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 tidy the garden tomorrow.
They hope to tidy their workspace before the meeting.
He wants to tidy his desk before leaving the office.
We decided to tidy the garage this weekend.
They agreed to tidy the living room together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys tidying her room every day.
They recommend regular tidying for a clutter-free space.
I dislike the task of tidying the attic.
He avoids tidying his desk by keeping it organized.
Can you imagine yourself tidying a messy room in just an hour?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to tidy the house before guests arrive. She likes tidying the house before guests arrive.
We started to tidy our workspace for better productivity. We started tidying our workspace for better productivity.
He began to tidy his room every morning. He began tidying his room every morning.
