When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To condescend (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to condescend" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
She refused to condescend to his level of arrogance.
Condescending (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "condescending" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Condescending to others is not a respectful behavior.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To condescend (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To condescend is an act of superiority.
To condescend is an act of superiority.
- "*To condescend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an act of superiority).
- 2Object
He wants her to condescend to his demands.
He wants her to condescend to his demands.
- "Her *to condescend* to his demands" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her *to condescend* to his demands).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a supervisor to condescend to my level of knowledge.
I need a supervisor to condescend to my level of knowledge.
- "*To condescend* to my level of knowledge" modifies the noun "supervisor."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a supervisor *to condescend* to my level of knowledge).
Condescending (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Condescending can damage relationships.
Condescending can damage relationships.
- "*Condescending*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (damage relationships).
- 2Object
She dislikes his habit of condescending to others.
She dislikes his habit of condescending to others.
- "His habit of *condescending* to others" is the object of the verb "dislikes."
- Noun (She) + verb (dislikes) + gerund (his habit of *condescending* to others).
- 3Object of Preposition
He received criticism for condescending to his subordinates.
He received criticism for condescending to his subordinates.
- "For *condescending* to his subordinates" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (received) + noun phrase (criticism for *condescending* to his subordinates).
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 refused to condescend to their opponent's disrespectful behavior.
He attempted to condescend to her level, but failed miserably.
She pretended to condescend to their suggestions, but had her own agenda.
He demanded them to condescend to his authority.
It seems unnecessary to condescend to their level of understanding.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid condescending to their colleagues in team meetings.
She is considering condescending to their requests, but with caution.
Do you mind me condescending to you during the debate?
Can you imagine him condescending to his own employees?
They discussed the consequences of condescending to their customers.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to condescend to others to assert their authority. They like condescending to others to assert their authority.
He began to condescend when he achieved a position of power. He began condescending when he achieved a position of power.
She tries to condescend to her opponents during debates. She tries condescending to her opponents during debates.
