When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To wake (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to wake" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to wake up early tomorrow.
Waking (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "waking" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Waking up early has many benefits.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To wake (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To wake up early is important for productivity.
To wake up early is important for productivity.
- "*To wake* up early" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for productivity).
- 2Object
She wants me to wake her up at 7am.
She wants me to wake her up at 7am.
- "Me *to wake* her up at 7am" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wake* her up at 7am).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a loud alarm clock to wake me up.
I need a loud alarm clock to wake me up.
- "*To wake* me up" modifies the noun "alarm clock."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a loud alarm clock *to wake* me up).
Waking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Waking up early requires discipline and consistency.
Waking up early requires discipline and consistency.
- "*Waking* up early" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (discipline and consistency).
- 2Object
I enjoy waking up to the sound of birds chirping.
I enjoy waking up to the sound of birds chirping.
- "*Waking* up to the sound of birds chirping" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*waking* up to the sound of birds chirping).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of waking up late.
She has a fear of waking up late.
- "Of *waking* up late" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *waking* up late).
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 wake up early to catch the sunrise.
They hope to wake refreshed after a good night's sleep.
He wants to wake up feeling energized.
We decided to wake up early for the morning hike.
They agreed to wake up at the same time every day.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys waking up early and watching the sunrise.
They recommend waking up gradually to avoid grogginess.
I dislike the feeling of waking up abruptly.
He avoids waking up in the middle of the night.
Can you imagine yourself waking up in a beautiful beach house?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to wake up before everyone else. She likes waking up before everyone else.
We started to wake up earlier for our morning jog. We started waking up earlier for our morning jog.
He began to wake up with a positive mindset. He began waking up with a positive mindset.
