When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To decentre (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to decentre" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to decentre myself and focus on others.
Decentring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "decentring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Decentring oneself can lead to better understanding of others.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To decentre (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To decentre is an important skill in building empathy.
To decentre is an important skill in building empathy.
- "*To decentre*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in building empathy).
- 2Object
She wants me to decentre my perspective and consider different viewpoints.
She wants me to decentre my perspective and consider different viewpoints.
- "Me *to decentre* my perspective and consider different viewpoints" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to decentre* my perspective and consider different viewpoints).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a training program to decentre our biases.
We need a training program to decentre our biases.
- "*To decentre* our biases" modifies the noun "training program."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a training program *to decentre* our biases).
Decentring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Decentring is a key concept in cultural competence.
Decentring is a key concept in cultural competence.
- "*Decentring*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key concept in cultural competence).
- 2Object
I enjoy decentring my perspective and considering diverse viewpoints.
I enjoy decentring my perspective and considering diverse viewpoints.
- "*Decentring* my perspective and considering diverse viewpoints" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*decentring* my perspective and considering diverse viewpoints).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for decentring herself in order to foster inclusivity.
She has a passion for decentring herself in order to foster inclusivity.
- "For *decentring* herself in order to foster inclusivity" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *decentring* herself in order to foster inclusivity).
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 decentre their focus and prioritize teamwork.
He hopes to decentre his thoughts and actively listen to others.
She wants to decentre her perspective and be more inclusive.
I decided to decentre myself and consider alternative solutions.
We agreed to decentre our egos and work collaboratively.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys decentring his perspective and engaging with different cultures.
They recommend regular decentring exercises to develop empathy.
I dislike the idea of decentring my own experiences in conversations.
She avoids decentring herself and focuses solely on her own needs.
Can you imagine yourself decentring and truly understanding others' perspectives?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to decentre themselves and actively listen to others. They like decentring themselves and actively listening to others.
I started to decentre my thinking and be more open-minded. I started decentring my thinking and being more open-minded.
We began to decentre our biases and embrace diversity. We began decentring our biases and embracing diversity.
