To Beseem vs Beseeming Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To beseem (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to beseem" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

It doesn't beseem him to beseem such a position of power.

Beseeming (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "beseeming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Beseeming such behavior is unacceptable in our society.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To beseem (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To beseem is not always easy to define.

  To beseem is not always easy to define.

  • "*To beseem*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not always easy to define).
• 2. Object

  I find it strange for him to beseem that role.

  I find it strange for him to beseem that role.

  • "It strange for him *to beseem* that role" is the object of the verb "find."
  • Noun (I) + verb (find) + noun clause (it strange for him *to beseem* that role).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He is ready to beseem the leader of the team.

  He is ready to beseem the leader of the team.

  • "Ready *to beseem* the leader of the team" modifies the noun "He."
  • Noun (He) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (ready *to beseem* the leader of the team).

Beseeming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Beseeming can be subjective and vary across cultures.

  Beseeming can be subjective and vary across cultures.

  • "*Beseeming*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (subjective and vary across cultures).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate your efforts in beseeming the occasion.

  I appreciate your efforts in beseeming the occasion.

  • "In *beseeming* the occasion" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + possessive pronoun (your) + noun (efforts) + prepositional phrase (in *beseeming* the occasion).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They had no choice but to act in a way beseeming their reputation.

  They had no choice but to act in a way beseeming their reputation.

  • "In a way *beseeming* their reputation" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (had) + noun phrase (no choice) + conjunction (but) + verb (to act) + prepositional phrase (in a way *beseeming* their reputation).

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

• agree
• pretend
• refuse
• wish
• struggle

Example

They agreed to beseem their new roles.

She pretended to beseem a professional dancer.

He refused to beseem the offer of promotion.

I wish to beseem a successful writer.

They struggled to beseem the expectations placed on them.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He considered beseeming the occasion with a formal attire.

They avoid beseeming unprofessional in their interactions.

We recommend beseeming the dress code for the event.

Do you mind beseeming a guest at the party?

She couldn't imagine beseeming such behavior in public.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to beseem a person of integrity. I would like beseeming a person of integrity.

They began to beseem more responsible in their actions. They began beseeming more responsible in their actions.

He will continue to beseem his new role with grace. He will continue beseeming his new role with grace.