When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To wait (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to wait" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I decided to wait for the bus instead of walking.
Waiting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "waiting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Waiting in line can be boring.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To wait (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To wait is sometimes frustrating.
To wait is sometimes frustrating.
- "*To wait*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (sometimes) + adjective (frustrating).
- 2Object
She wants me to wait for her at the restaurant.
She wants me to wait for her at the restaurant.
- "Me *to wait* for her at the restaurant" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wait* for her at the restaurant).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a comfortable chair to wait in.
He needs a comfortable chair to wait in.
- "*To wait* in" modifies the noun "chair."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a comfortable chair *to wait* in).
Waiting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Waiting for the bus is tiring.
Waiting for the bus is tiring.
- "*Waiting* for the bus" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (tiring).
- 2Object
I enjoy waiting for my favorite band to perform.
I enjoy waiting for my favorite band to perform.
- "*Waiting* for my favorite band to perform" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*waiting* for my favorite band to perform).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of waiting until the last minute.
She has a habit of waiting until the last minute.
- "Of *waiting* until the last minute" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *waiting* until the last minute).
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 wait for the results of the exam.
I hope to wait less time at the doctor's office.
We want to wait for our friends before starting the game.
She decided to wait for the next train.
They agreed to wait for the meeting to start.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys waiting for his coffee to brew in the morning.
They recommend waiting for the right opportunity before making a decision.
She avoids waiting in long lines by using self-checkout.
Can you imagine waiting for hours at the airport?
I don't mind waiting a few extra minutes for a table at the restaurant.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to wait in peaceful environments. I like waiting in peaceful environments.
They started to wait for the movie to begin. They started waiting for the movie to begin.
He began to wait patiently for his turn. He began waiting patiently for his turn.
