When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To traverse (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to traverse" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to traverse the entire mountain range.
Traversing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "traversing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Traversing the city by bike is a great way to explore.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To traverse (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To traverse difficult terrain requires skill and experience.
To traverse difficult terrain requires skill and experience.
- "*To traverse* difficult terrain" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and experience).
- 2Object
He wants me to traverse the forest with him.
He wants me to traverse the forest with him.
- "Me *to traverse* the forest with him" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to traverse* the forest with him).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a sturdy backpack to traverse long distances.
I need a sturdy backpack to traverse long distances.
- "*To traverse* long distances" modifies the noun "backpack."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy backpack *to traverse* long distances).
Traversing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Traversing new territories can be both exciting and challenging.
Traversing new territories can be both exciting and challenging.
- "*Traversing* new territories" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (both exciting and challenging).
- 2Object
I enjoy traversing the mountains on my hikes.
I enjoy traversing the mountains on my hikes.
- "*Traversing* the mountains on my hikes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*traversing* the mountains on my hikes).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for traversing different cultures.
She has a passion for traversing different cultures.
- "For *traversing* different cultures" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *traversing* different cultures).
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 traverse the entire country on foot.
They hope to traverse the river without any difficulties.
He wants to traverse the desert on a camel.
We decided to traverse the mountain range this summer.
They agreed to traverse the canyon together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys traversing the city streets on her skateboard.
They recommend traversing the hiking trail in the early morning.
I dislike the idea of traversing dense forests at night.
He avoids traversing busy roads during rush hour.
Can you imagine yourself traversing the jungle with a machete?
