When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To vellicate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to vellicate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to vellicate my friend's funny bone with a joke.
Vellicating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "vellicating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Vellicating someone's funny bone can create a joyful atmosphere.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To vellicate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To vellicate is a unique form of tickling.
To vellicate is a unique form of tickling.
- "*To vellicate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a unique form of tickling).
- 2Object
She wants me to vellicate her senses with an exciting adventure.
She wants me to vellicate her senses with an exciting adventure.
- "Me *to vellicate* her senses with an exciting adventure" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to vellicate* her senses with an exciting adventure).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a good joke to vellicate my friend's laughter.
I need a good joke to vellicate my friend's laughter.
- "*To vellicate* my friend's laughter" modifies the noun "joke."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good joke *to vellicate* my friend's laughter).
Vellicating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Vellicating is a skill that comedians possess.
Vellicating is a skill that comedians possess.
- "*Vellicating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a skill that comedians possess).
- 2Object
I enjoy vellicating my friends' sense of humor with clever jokes.
I enjoy vellicating my friends' sense of humor with clever jokes.
- "*Vellicating* my friends' sense of humor with clever jokes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*vellicating* my friends' sense of humor with clever jokes).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for vellicating laughter in others.
She has a passion for vellicating laughter in others.
- "For *vellicating* laughter in others" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *vellicating* laughter in others).
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 vellicate her audience with a hilarious performance.
They hope to vellicate their guests' sense of humor at the party.
He wants to vellicate everyone's funny bone with his witty remarks.
We decided to vellicate our friends with a surprise prank.
They agreed to vellicate each other's laughter with funny anecdotes.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys vellicating her audience's laughter during her stand-up comedy shows.
They recommend regular vellicating of funny bones for a happy and light-hearted environment.
I dislike the idea of vellicating someone's sensitive funny bone.
He avoids vellicating people's laughter at inappropriate times.
Can you imagine yourself vellicating a whole crowd's laughter with your jokes?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to vellicate her friends' funny bones with witty remarks. She likes vellicating her friends' funny bones with witty remarks.
We started to vellicate our classmates' laughter with funny pranks. We started vellicating our classmates' laughter with funny pranks.
He began to vellicate his family's sense of humor with silly jokes. He began vellicating his family's sense of humor with silly jokes.
