When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To write (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to write" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to write a book about my travels.
Writing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "writing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Writing helps me express my thoughts and emotions.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To write (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To write is her passion.
To write is her passion.
- "*To write*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (her passion).
- 2Object
He asked me to write a letter for him.
He asked me to write a letter for him.
- "Me *to write* a letter for him" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to write* a letter for him).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a quiet place to write her thoughts.
She needs a quiet place to write her thoughts.
- "*To write* her thoughts" modifies the noun "place."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to write* her thoughts).
Writing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Writing requires creativity and imagination.
Writing requires creativity and imagination.
- "*Writing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (creativity and imagination).
- 2Object
I enjoy writing poetry in my free time.
I enjoy writing poetry in my free time.
- "*Writing* poetry in my free time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*writing* poetry in my free time).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for writing captivating stories.
She has a talent for writing captivating stories.
- "For *writing* captivating stories" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *writing* captivating stories).
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
They plan to write a novel together.
She hopes to write a best-selling book one day.
He wants to write a poem for his girlfriend.
We decided to write a screenplay for our short film.
They agreed to write a research paper on climate change.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys writing articles for a magazine.
They recommend daily writing for personal growth.
I dislike the process of writing essays.
She avoids writing in noisy environments.
Can you imagine yourself writing a bestselling novel?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to write in my journal every night. I like writing in my journal every night.
We started to write a blog about our adventures. We started writing a blog about our adventures.
He began to write his first novel. He began writing his first novel.
