When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To weed (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to weed" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to weed the garden to keep it tidy.
Weeding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "weeding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Weeding is a tedious but necessary task in gardening.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To weed (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To weed is an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden.
To weed is an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden.
- "*To weed*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden).
- 2Object
She wants me to weed the flower beds.
She wants me to weed the flower beds.
- "Me *to weed* the flower beds" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to weed* the flower beds).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a pair of gloves to weed the thorny plants.
I need a pair of gloves to weed the thorny plants.
- "*To weed* the thorny plants" modifies the noun "pair of gloves."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pair of gloves *to weed* the thorny plants).
Weeding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Weeding requires patience and attention to detail.
Weeding requires patience and attention to detail.
- "*Weeding*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and attention to detail).
- 2Object
I enjoy weeding the garden.
I enjoy weeding the garden.
- "*Weeding* the garden" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*weeding* the garden).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a knack for weeding out the unwanted plants.
She has a knack for weeding out the unwanted plants.
- "For *weeding* out the unwanted plants" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *weeding* out the unwanted plants).
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 weed the backyard tomorrow.
They hope to weed the garden before the party.
He wants to weed the front yard this weekend.
We decided to weed the vegetable patch today.
They agreed to weed the flower beds together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys weeding the flower beds every weekend.
They recommend regular weeding for a healthy garden.
I dislike the task of weeding large areas.
He avoids weeding in rainy weather.
Can you imagine yourself weeding a beautiful flower garden?
