When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To typecast (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to typecast" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The director wants to typecast the actor as a villain in the movie.
Typecasting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "typecasting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Typecasting can limit an actor's opportunities.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To typecast (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To typecast is a common practice in the entertainment industry.
To typecast is a common practice in the entertainment industry.
- "*To typecast*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in the entertainment industry).
- 2Object
She asked him to typecast her in the lead role.
She asked him to typecast her in the lead role.
- "Him *to typecast* her in the lead role" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to typecast* her in the lead role).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need an experienced casting director to typecast the actors.
I need an experienced casting director to typecast the actors.
- "*To typecast* the actors" modifies the noun "casting director."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an experienced casting director *to typecast* the actors).
Typecasting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Typecasting is a common phenomenon in the film industry.
Typecasting is a common phenomenon in the film industry.
- "*Typecasting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common phenomenon in the film industry).
- 2Object
She enjoys typecasting actors based on their skills.
She enjoys typecasting actors based on their skills.
- "*Typecasting* actors based on their skills" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*typecasting* actors based on their skills).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for typecasting diverse characters.
He has a talent for typecasting diverse characters.
- "For *typecasting* diverse characters" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *typecasting* diverse characters).
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 typecast new talents for their upcoming project.
He hopes to typecast the actress in a challenging role.
We want the casting director to typecast diverse actors for the movie.
The production team decided to typecast a well-known actor as the protagonist.
The director and the producer agreed to typecast a popular actress in the lead role.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy typecasting actors in different roles.
The casting director recommends typecasting for better character portrayal.
I dislike the practice of typecasting based on physical appearance.
He avoids typecasting actors in stereotypical roles.
Can you imagine yourself typecasting for a critically acclaimed film?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to typecast actors according to their strengths. She likes typecasting actors according to their strengths.
They started to typecast actors for the play. They started typecasting actors for the play.
He began to typecast performers for the musical. He began typecasting performers for the musical.
