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 in the morning.
She wants me to wake her up in the morning.
- "Me *to wake* her up in the morning" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to wake* her up in the morning).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a loud alarm to wake me up.
I need a loud alarm to wake me up.
- "*To wake* me up" modifies the noun "alarm."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a loud alarm *to wake* me up).
Waking (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Waking up early requires discipline.
Waking up early requires discipline.
- "*Waking* up early" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun (discipline).
- 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 habit of waking up early.
She has a habit of waking up early.
- "Of *waking* up early" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *waking* up early).
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 for the meeting.
They hope to wake up refreshed after a good night's sleep.
He wants to wake up before sunrise.
We decided to wake up early and go for a run.
They agreed to wake up at the same time every day.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys waking up to a beautiful sunrise.
They recommend waking up gradually by using an alarm clock with light.
I dislike the feeling of waking up abruptly.
He avoids waking up late by setting multiple alarms.
Can you imagine yourself waking up in a tropical paradise?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to wake up early and watch the sunrise. She likes waking up early and watching the sunrise.
We started to wake up at 5 AM for morning yoga. We started waking up at 5 AM for morning yoga.
He began to wake up before dawn to meditate. He began waking up before dawn to meditate.
