To Convect vs Convecting 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 convect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to convect the food evenly in the oven.

Convecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Convecting allows for even distribution of heat.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To convect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To convect is an important process in baking.

  To convect is an important process in baking.

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

  She wants me to convect the ingredients for her recipe.

  She wants me to convect the ingredients for her recipe.

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

  I need an oven to convect the food quickly.

  I need an oven to convect the food quickly.

  • "*To convect* the food quickly" modifies the noun "oven."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an oven *to convect* the food quickly).

Convecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Convecting is a common technique in cooking.

  Convecting is a common technique in cooking.

  • "*Convecting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common technique in cooking).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy convecting the food in the oven.

  I enjoy convecting the food in the oven.

  • "*Convecting* the food in the oven" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*convecting* the food in the oven).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for convecting delicious meals.

  She has a passion for convecting delicious meals.

  • "For *convecting* delicious meals" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *convecting* delicious meals).

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 convect the cake at a low temperature.

They hope to convect the dish to perfection.

He wants to convect the bread evenly.

We decided to convect the meal for faster cooking.

They agreed to convect the ingredients together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys convecting dishes with precise control over temperature.

They recommend convecting the meat for even cooking.

I dislike the idea of convecting food at high temperatures.

He avoids convecting delicate desserts for fear of burning them.

Can you imagine yourself convecting a gourmet meal in a professional kitchen?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to convect her baked goods for consistent results. She likes convecting her baked goods for consistent results.

We started to convect our meals for faster cooking. We started convecting our meals for faster cooking.

He began to convect his recipes for better taste. He began convecting his recipes for better taste.