When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To unclog (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to unclog" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to unclog the drain in the bathroom.
Unclogging (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "unclogging" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Unclogging drains can be a messy task.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To unclog (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To unclog the sink is essential for proper drainage.
To unclog the sink is essential for proper drainage.
- "*To unclog* the sink" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for proper drainage).
- 2Object
She wants me to unclog the toilet.
She wants me to unclog the toilet.
- "Me *to unclog* the toilet" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to unclog* the toilet).
- 3Adverbial Modifier
He came home to unclog the pipes.
He came home to unclog the pipes.
- "*To unclog* the pipes" modifies the verb "came."
- Noun (He) + verb (came) + adverbial phrase (home *to unclog* the pipes).
Unclogging (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Unclogging the pipes requires specialized tools.
Unclogging the pipes requires specialized tools.
- "*Unclogging* the pipes" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (specialized tools).
- 2Object
I enjoy unclogging the sink.
I enjoy unclogging the sink.
- "*Unclogging* the sink" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*unclogging* the sink).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for unclogging clogged toilets.
She has a knack for unclogging clogged toilets.
- "For *unclogging* clogged toilets" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *unclogging* clogged toilets).
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 unclog the gutters this weekend.
They hope to unclog the drain soon.
He wants to unclog the showerhead.
We decided to unclog the pipes ourselves.
They agreed to unclog the sink together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys unclogging drains in her spare time.
They recommend regular unclogging of drains for proper maintenance.
I dislike the task of unclogging clogged pipes.
He avoids unclogging the shower drain himself.
Can you imagine yourself unclogging a blocked sink?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to unclog the bathtub drain. She likes unclogging clogged drains.
We started to unclog the kitchen sink. We started unclogging drains regularly.
He began to unclog the bathroom drain every week. He began unclogging clogged drains every week.
