When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To toy (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to toy" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to toy with different ideas before making a decision.
Toying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "toying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Toying with a Rubik's Cube can be both challenging and entertaining.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To toy (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To toy with someone's emotions is not fair.
To toy with someone's emotions is not fair.
- "*To toy* with someone's emotions" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not fair).
- 2Object
She wants me to toy with the idea of starting a new business.
She wants me to toy with the idea of starting a new business.
- "Me *to toy* with the idea of starting a new business" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to toy* with the idea of starting a new business).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a puzzle to toy with during his free time.
He needs a puzzle to toy with during his free time.
- "*To toy* with during his free time" modifies the noun "puzzle."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a puzzle *to toy* with during his free time).
Toying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Toying with people's feelings is not ethical.
Toying with people's feelings is not ethical.
- "*Toying* with people's feelings" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not ethical).
- 2Object
I enjoy toying with different art techniques.
I enjoy toying with different art techniques.
- "*Toying* with different art techniques" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*toying* with different art techniques).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for toying with words.
He has a talent for toying with words.
- "For *toying* with words" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *toying* with words).
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
We decided to toy with different strategies to improve our sales.
She plans to toy with the idea of moving to a new city.
They attempted to toy with the latest technology to solve the problem.
He wishes to toy with the concept of time travel.
I pretend to toy with the idea of being a famous actor.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend toying with different recipes to enhance your cooking skills.
She avoids toying with dangerous substances in the laboratory.
I am considering toying with the idea of starting my own business.
Can you imagine yourself toying with a virtual reality headset?
We need to discuss the implications of toying with people's emotions.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to toy with her cat using a laser pointer. She likes toying with her cat using a laser pointer.
They started to toy with the idea of renovating their house. They started toying with the idea of renovating their house.
He began to toy with the thought of writing a novel. He began toying with the thought of writing a novel.
