When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bowdlerize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bowdlerize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to bowdlerize the text because it goes against my principles.
Bowdlerizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "bowdlerizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Bowdlerizing can be seen as a form of censorship.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bowdlerize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bowdlerize is a controversial practice in literature.
To bowdlerize is a controversial practice in literature.
- "*To bowdlerize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a controversial practice in literature).
- 2Object
They want me to bowdlerize the movie before it's released.
They want me to bowdlerize the movie before it's released.
- "Me *to bowdlerize* the movie before it's released" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to bowdlerize* the movie before it's released).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a software to bowdlerize inappropriate content.
She needs a software to bowdlerize inappropriate content.
- "*To bowdlerize* inappropriate content" modifies the noun "software."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a software *to bowdlerize* inappropriate content).
Bowdlerizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Bowdlerizing is often done to protect sensitive audiences.
Bowdlerizing is often done to protect sensitive audiences.
- "*Bowdlerizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (often done to protect sensitive audiences).
- 2Object
I enjoy bowdlerizing books to make them more appropriate for young readers.
I enjoy bowdlerizing books to make them more appropriate for young readers.
- "*Bowdlerizing* books to make them more appropriate for young readers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bowdlerizing* books to make them more appropriate for young readers).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for bowdlerizing controversial content.
He has a talent for bowdlerizing controversial content.
- "For *bowdlerizing* controversial content" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bowdlerizing* controversial content).
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 refuses to bowdlerize the article due to its censorship.
They attempted to bowdlerize the novel to make it more suitable for children.
I recommend you to bowdlerize the language in your presentation.
She struggled to bowdlerize the controversial scenes in the film.
We chose to bowdlerize the lyrics for a cleaner version of the song.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid bowdlerizing the film to maintain its artistic integrity.
She recommends bowdlerizing explicit language in the book for a wider audience.
We are considering bowdlerizing the play to comply with local regulations.
They discussed the option of bowdlerizing the documentary for broadcast on television.
He resisted bowdlerizing the poem despite its controversial themes.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to bowdlerize historical texts. She likes bowdlerizing historical texts.
We began to bowdlerize the novel for a younger audience. We began bowdlerizing the novel for a younger audience.
He continues to bowdlerize songs with explicit lyrics. He continues bowdlerizing songs with explicit lyrics.
