When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To wiggle (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to wiggle" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to wiggle my toes in the sand.
Wiggling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "wiggling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Wiggling is a silly dance move.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To wiggle (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To wiggle is a fun way to express joy.
To wiggle is a fun way to express joy.
- "*To wiggle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fun way to express joy).
- 2Object
She wants me to wiggle my fingers.
She wants me to wiggle my fingers.
- "Me *to wiggle* my fingers" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wiggle* my fingers).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a comfortable chair to wiggle in.
I need a comfortable chair to wiggle in.
- "*To wiggle* in" modifies the noun "chair."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable chair *to wiggle* in).
Wiggling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Wiggling is a great way to loosen up.
Wiggling is a great way to loosen up.
- "*Wiggling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to loosen up).
- 2Object
I enjoy wiggling my hips to the music.
I enjoy wiggling my hips to the music.
- "*Wiggling* my hips to the music" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*wiggling* my hips to the music).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for wiggling her fingers.
She has a talent for wiggling her fingers.
- "For *wiggling* her fingers" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *wiggling* her fingers).
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 wiggle her hips at the party tonight.
They hope to wiggle their toes in the warm sand.
He wants to wiggle his ears like a rabbit.
We decided to wiggle our noses for the magic trick.
They agreed to wiggle their eyebrows in surprise.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys wiggling her toes in the sand at the beach.
They recommend wiggling your body to relieve stress.
I dislike the idea of wiggling my nose like a bunny.
He avoids wiggling his eyebrows in public.
Can you imagine yourself wiggling your hips on stage?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to wiggle her fingers when she's excited. She likes wiggling her toes in the sand at the beach.
We started to wiggle our bodies to the rhythm of the music. We started wiggling our hips to the beat of the song.
He began to wiggle his eyebrows as a form of greeting. He began wiggling his nose for the magic trick.
