When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To culminate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to culminate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
Their hard work and dedication led them to culminate in a successful project.
Culminating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "culminating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Culminating in a successful outcome was a result of their teamwork and effort.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To culminate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To culminate in a victory is their ultimate goal.
To culminate in a victory is their ultimate goal.
- "*To culminate* in a victory" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their ultimate goal).
- 2Object
She wants me to culminate in the final performance.
She wants me to culminate in the final performance.
- "Me *to culminate* in the final performance" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to culminate* in the final performance).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a strong team to culminate the project successfully.
We need a strong team to culminate the project successfully.
- "*To culminate* the project successfully" modifies the noun "team."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong team *to culminate* the project successfully).
Culminating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Culminating in a promotion is his aim.
Culminating in a promotion is his aim.
- "*Culminating* in a promotion" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his aim).
- 2Object
I enjoy culminating in meaningful projects.
I enjoy culminating in meaningful projects.
- "*Culminating* in meaningful projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*culminating* in meaningful projects).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for culminating successful campaigns.
She has a passion for culminating successful campaigns.
- "For *culminating* successful campaigns" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *culminating* successful campaigns).
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 plan to culminate the event with a grand celebration.
I hope to culminate my studies with a high GPA.
He wants to culminate his career with a prestigious award.
We decided to culminate the project with a presentation.
They agreed to culminate their partnership with a joint venture.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy culminating in creative endeavors.
Experts recommend culminating in a final presentation.
I dislike the idea of culminating in a mediocre result.
He avoids culminating in conflicts or misunderstandings.
Can you imagine yourself culminating in a major achievement?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to culminate her performances with a standing ovation. She likes culminating her performances with a standing ovation.
We started to culminate our project with a comprehensive analysis. We started culminating our project with a comprehensive analysis.
He began to culminate his research with groundbreaking findings. He began culminating his research with groundbreaking findings.
