To Deem vs Deeming 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 deem (Infinitive)

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

Example

The judge deemed to deem the evidence admissible in court.

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 something impossible without trying is unfair.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To deem (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To deem the project a success requires careful evaluation.

  To deem the project a success requires careful evaluation.

  • "*To deem* the project a success" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful evaluation).
• 2. Object

  They want us to deem their proposal worthy of consideration.

  They want us to deem their proposal worthy of consideration.

  • "Us *to deem* their proposal worthy of consideration" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to deem* their proposal worthy of consideration).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs more time to deem the decision fair.

  He needs more time to deem the decision fair.

  • "*To deem* the decision fair" modifies the noun "time."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (more time *to deem* the decision fair).

Deeming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deeming the movie boring is subjective.

  Deeming the movie boring is subjective.

  • "*Deeming* the movie boring" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (boring).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy deeming myself capable of achieving anything.

  I enjoy deeming myself capable of achieving anything.

  • "*Deeming* myself capable of achieving anything" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*deeming* myself capable of achieving anything).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of deeming others unworthy of her attention.

  She has a habit of deeming others unworthy of her attention.

  • "Of *deeming* others unworthy of her attention" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *deeming* others unworthy of her attention).

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 deem the results acceptable.

They hope to deem the product suitable for the market.

He wants to deem the contract legally binding.

We decided to deem the document confidential.

They agreed to deem the request reasonable.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys deeming herself successful in every endeavor.

They recommend deeming each team member valuable to the project.

He avoids deeming anyone unimportant or insignificant.

Can you imagine yourself deeming others worthy of trust?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to deem her work meaningful. She likes deeming her work meaningful.

We started to deem their actions suspicious. We started deeming their actions suspicious.

He began to deem the project unfeasible. He began deeming the project unfeasible.