When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To trick (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to trick" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to trick my friends with a magic trick.
Tricking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "tricking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Tricking others is not a kind behavior.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To trick (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To trick is not a fair way to win.
To trick is not a fair way to win.
- "*To trick*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a fair way to win).
- 2Object
She wants me to trick her brother.
She wants me to trick her brother.
- "Me *to trick* her brother" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to trick* her brother).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a special deck of cards to trick his audience.
He needs a special deck of cards to trick his audience.
- "*To trick* his audience" modifies the noun "deck of cards."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a special deck of cards *to trick* his audience).
Tricking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Tricking people can lead to broken trust.
Tricking people can lead to broken trust.
- "*Tricking* people" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (broken trust).
- 2Object
I enjoy tricking my siblings with funny jokes.
I enjoy tricking my siblings with funny jokes.
- "*Tricking* my siblings with funny jokes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tricking* my siblings with funny jokes).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for tricking people.
She has a talent for tricking people.
- "For *tricking* people" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *tricking* people).
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 trick their classmates on April Fool's Day.
She hopes to trick everyone with her magic show.
He wants to trick the judges with his illusion act.
We decided to trick our friends with a prank.
They agreed to trick their teacher with a fake test.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys tricking his friends with magic tricks.
They recommend avoiding tricking others for personal gain.
She dislikes the act of tricking people for amusement.
I avoid tricking others as it is dishonest.
Can you imagine yourself tricking a large audience with your illusions?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to trick her siblings with pranks. She likes tricking her siblings with pranks.
They started to trick each other on April Fool's Day. They started tricking each other on April Fool's Day.
He began to trick his friends with mind-bending tricks. He began tricking his friends with mind-bending tricks.
