When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To upstare (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to upstare" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to upstare at people because it's impolite.
Upstaring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "upstaring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Upstaring is seen as disrespectful behavior.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To upstare (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To upstare is considered rude in many cultures.
To upstare is considered rude in many cultures.
- "*To upstare*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered rude in many cultures).
- 2Object
She asked him to upstare at her during the performance.
She asked him to upstare at her during the performance.
- "Him *to upstare* at her during the performance" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to upstare* at her during the performance).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a mirror to upstare themselves.
They need a mirror to upstare themselves.
- "*To upstare* themselves" modifies the noun "mirror."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mirror *to upstare* themselves).
Upstaring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Upstaring can make others feel uncomfortable.
Upstaring can make others feel uncomfortable.
- "*Upstaring*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can make) + noun phrase (others feel uncomfortable).
- 2Object
I enjoy upstaring at the stars at night.
I enjoy upstaring at the stars at night.
- "*Upstaring* at the stars at night" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*upstaring* at the stars at night).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of upstaring into space.
She has a habit of upstaring into space.
- "Of *upstaring* into space" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *upstaring* into space).
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 refused to upstare at the stranger.
She pretended to upstare at the ceiling to avoid eye contact.
I wish to upstare less and focus on my own work.
The teacher demanded the students to upstare at the blackboard.
They chose to upstare at the sunset instead of their phones.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids upstaring at strangers to respect their privacy.
They consider upstaring as a sign of rudeness.
Do you mind me upstaring at you during the meeting?
She resisted the temptation of upstaring at her ex-boyfriend.
I can't understand his habit of upstaring into nothing.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to upstare at people in crowded places. She likes upstaring at people in crowded places.
We began to upstare at each other with curiosity. We began upstaring at each other with curiosity.
He stopped to upstare at his phone and paid attention to the lecture. He stopped upstaring at his phone and paid attention to the lecture.
