When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To tweak (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to tweak" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to tweak my website to improve its performance.
Tweaking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "tweaking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Tweaking the code can lead to better performance.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To tweak (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To tweak is a common practice in software development.
To tweak is a common practice in software development.
- "*To tweak*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in software development).
- 2Object
She wants me to tweak the design of her logo.
She wants me to tweak the design of her logo.
- "Me *to tweak* the design of her logo" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to tweak* the design of her logo).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a tool to tweak the settings of my camera.
I need a tool to tweak the settings of my camera.
- "*To tweak* the settings of my camera" modifies the noun "tool."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to tweak* the settings of my camera).
Tweaking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Tweaking your diet can help you lose weight.
Tweaking your diet can help you lose weight.
- "*Tweaking* your diet" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (you lose weight).
- 2Object
I enjoy tweaking the settings of my computer.
I enjoy tweaking the settings of my computer.
- "*Tweaking* the settings of my computer" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tweaking* the settings of my computer).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for tweaking cars.
He has a talent for tweaking cars.
- "For *tweaking* cars" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *tweaking* cars).
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
He plans to tweak his recipe for better flavor.
They hope to tweak the layout of their website for better user experience.
She wants to tweak the color scheme of her room.
We decided to tweak the wording of our advertisement.
They agreed to tweak the final draft of the report.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys tweaking recipes to create unique flavors.
They recommend regular tweaking of your exercise routine for better results.
I dislike the idea of tweaking my computer's settings.
He avoids tweaking his presentation slides too much.
Can you imagine yourself tweaking the details of a painting?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to tweak the layout of her website. She likes tweaking the layout of her website.
We started to tweak our marketing strategy. We started tweaking our marketing strategy.
He began to tweak the parameters of the experiment. He began tweaking the parameters of the experiment.
