When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To yawn (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to yawn" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I can't help to yawn when I'm tired.
Yawning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "yawning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Yawning is contagious and can spread quickly.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To yawn (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To yawn is a natural reflex.
To yawn is a natural reflex.
- "*To yawn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural reflex).
- 2Object
She wants me to yawn during the presentation.
She wants me to yawn during the presentation.
- "Me *to yawn* during the presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to yawn* during the presentation).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a break to yawn and stretch.
I need a break to yawn and stretch.
- "*To yawn* and stretch" modifies the noun "break."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a break *to yawn* and stretch).
Yawning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Yawning can be a sign of tiredness.
Yawning can be a sign of tiredness.
- "*Yawning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of tiredness).
- 2Object
I enjoy yawning when I wake up in the morning.
I enjoy yawning when I wake up in the morning.
- "*Yawning* when I wake up in the morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*yawning* when I wake up in the morning).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of yawning during long meetings.
She has a habit of yawning during long meetings.
- "Of *yawning* during long meetings" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *yawning* during long meetings).
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
He plans to yawn before going to bed.
They hope to yawn less often in public.
She wants to yawn freely without being judged.
We decided to yawn discreetly during the meeting.
They agreed to yawn together as a sign of boredom.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys yawning after a good stretch.
Doctors recommend yawning to increase oxygen intake.
I dislike the sound of loud yawning.
She avoids yawning in public places.
Can you imagine yawning during an important presentation?
