When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To unplait (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to unplait" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
She promised to unplait her hair before going to bed.
Unplaiting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "unplaiting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Unplaiting your hair can be a tedious task.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To unplait (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To unplait your hair takes time and patience.
To unplait your hair takes time and patience.
- "*To unplait* your hair" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and patience).
- 2Object
He wants me to unplait his hair.
He wants me to unplait his hair.
- "Me *to unplait* his hair" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to unplait* his hair).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a hairbrush to unplait my hair.
I need a hairbrush to unplait my hair.
- "*To unplait* my hair" modifies the noun "hairbrush."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hairbrush *to unplait* my hair).
Unplaiting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Unplaiting your hair requires patience and skill.
Unplaiting your hair requires patience and skill.
- "*Unplaiting* your hair" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
- 2Object
She enjoys unplaiting her hair at the end of the day.
She enjoys unplaiting her hair at the end of the day.
- "*Unplaiting* her hair" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*unplaiting* her hair).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for unplaiting hair.
He has a passion for unplaiting hair.
- "For *unplaiting* hair" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *unplaiting* hair).
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 hopes to unplait her hair before the party tonight.
He refuses to unplait his hair for the school photo.
They decided to unplait their hair after the event.
We managed to unplait our hair without any help.
I chose to unplait my hair for a new look.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy unplaiting their hair in front of the mirror.
She recommends unplaiting hair gently to avoid damage.
He avoids unplaiting hair when it's wet.
Can you imagine yourself unplaiting someone else's hair?
I don't mind unplaiting my hair for a special occasion.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to unplait her hair before going to bed. She likes unplaiting her hair before going to bed.
We started to unplait our hair every evening. We started unplaiting our hair every evening.
He began to unplait his hair after using a conditioner. He began unplaiting his hair after using a conditioner.
