When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To deem (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to deem" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I deem it necessary to deem your request valid.
Deeming (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "deeming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Deeming it a worthy cause, they donated generously.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To deem (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To deem is a subjective judgment.
To deem is a subjective judgment.
- "*To deem*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a subjective judgment).
- 2Object
They want me to deem their proposal acceptable.
They want me to deem their proposal acceptable.
- "Me *to deem* their proposal acceptable" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to deem* their proposal acceptable).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need evidence to deem the witness credible.
We need evidence to deem the witness credible.
- "*To deem* the witness credible" modifies the noun "evidence."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (evidence *to deem* the witness credible).
Deeming (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Deeming it a valuable opportunity, he decided to pursue it.
Deeming it a valuable opportunity, he decided to pursue it.
- "*Deeming*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a valuable opportunity).
- 2Object
I appreciate deeming my efforts noteworthy.
I appreciate deeming my efforts noteworthy.
- "*Deeming* my efforts noteworthy" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*deeming* my efforts noteworthy).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of deeming herself unworthy.
She has a habit of deeming herself unworthy.
- "Of *deeming* herself unworthy" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *deeming* herself unworthy).
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
She plans to deem the project successful.
They hope to deem the experiment conclusive.
He wants to deem their actions justified.
We decided to deem the results accurate.
They agreed to deem the plan feasible.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys deeming himself a problem solver.
They recommend deeming each suggestion carefully.
I dislike deeming anyone inferior.
She avoids deeming others unworthy.
Can you imagine deeming yourself a hero?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to deem herself successful. She likes deeming herself successful.
We started to deem his ideas valuable. We started deeming his ideas valuable.
He began to deem their efforts commendable. He began deeming their efforts commendable.
