When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To wave (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to wave" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to wave at my friends as they leave.
Waving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "waving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Waving is a friendly way to greet someone.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To wave (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To wave is a common gesture of greeting.
To wave is a common gesture of greeting.
- "*To wave*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common gesture of greeting).
- 2Object
She wants me to wave goodbye.
She wants me to wave goodbye.
- "Me *to wave* goodbye" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wave* goodbye).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a flag to wave during the parade.
I need a flag to wave during the parade.
- "*To wave* during the parade" modifies the noun "flag."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a flag *to wave* during the parade).
Waving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Waving can be seen as a sign of acknowledgement.
Waving can be seen as a sign of acknowledgement.
- "*Waving*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be seen) + noun phrase (a sign of acknowledgement).
- 2Object
I enjoy waving at my neighbors when I see them.
I enjoy waving at my neighbors when I see them.
- "*Waving* at my neighbors" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*waving* at my neighbors).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of waving to strangers.
She has a habit of waving to strangers.
- "Of *waving* to strangers" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *waving* to strangers).
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 wave at the crowd during her performance.
They hope to wave to their fans after the game.
He wants to wave to his family from the balcony.
We decided to wave our hands in excitement.
They agreed to wave flags in support of their team.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys waving to people passing by.
They recommend waving to show gratitude.
I dislike the idea of waving to someone I don't know.
He avoids waving in formal situations.
Can you imagine yourself waving from a distance?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to wave at her friends when she sees them. She likes waving at her friends when she sees them.
We started to wave as a way of saying hello. We started waving as a way of saying hello.
He began to wave enthusiastically. He began waving enthusiastically.
