To Comingle vs Commingling 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 comingle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to comingle the different flavors to create a unique taste.

Commingling (Gerund)

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

Example

Commingling different cultures can lead to new ideas and perspectives.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To comingle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To comingle is an important step in the recipe.

  To comingle is an important step in the recipe.

  • "*To comingle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the recipe).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to comingle the ingredients.

  She wants me to comingle the ingredients.

  • "Me *to comingle* the ingredients" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to comingle* the ingredients).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a bowl to comingle the spices.

  I need a bowl to comingle the spices.

  • "*To comingle* the spices" modifies the noun "bowl."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bowl *to comingle* the spices).

Commingling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Commingling is a common practice in multicultural societies.

  Commingling is a common practice in multicultural societies.

  • "*Commingling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in multicultural societies).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy commingling with people from diverse backgrounds.

  I enjoy commingling with people from diverse backgrounds.

  • "*Commingling* with people from diverse backgrounds" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*commingling* with people from diverse backgrounds).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for commingling different art forms.

  She has a passion for commingling different art forms.

  • "For *commingling*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *commingling* different art forms).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to comingle the colors for the painting.

They hope to comingle their talents for the performance.

He wants to comingle the ingredients in the dish.

We decided to comingle the different fabrics for the design.

They agreed to comingle their resources for the project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys commingling different flavors in her cooking.

They recommend commingling different musical genres for a unique sound.

I dislike the idea of commingling incompatible ideologies.

He avoids commingling with negative influences.

Can you imagine commingling different art styles in one masterpiece?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to comingle different scents to create a personalized fragrance. She likes commingling different scents to create a personalized fragrance.

We started to comingle our resources for a joint venture. We started commingling our resources for a joint venture.

He began to comingle his ideas with others for a collaborative project. He began commingling his ideas with others for a collaborative project.