To Defenestrate vs Defenestrating 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 defenestrate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to defenestrate that old chair.

Defenestrating (Gerund)

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

Example

Defenestrating objects can be dangerous.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To defenestrate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To defenestrate is an extreme action.

  To defenestrate is an extreme action.

  • "*To defenestrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an extreme action).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to defenestrate the broken glass.

  She wants me to defenestrate the broken glass.

  • "Me *to defenestrate* the broken glass" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to defenestrate* the broken glass).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a ladder to defenestrate the bird from the chimney.

  We need a ladder to defenestrate the bird from the chimney.

  • "*To defenestrate* the bird from the chimney" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to defenestrate* the bird from the chimney).

Defenestrating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Defenestrating is not a common practice.

  Defenestrating is not a common practice.

  • "*Defenestrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a common practice).
• 2. Object

  They enjoy defenestrating old electronics.

  They enjoy defenestrating old electronics.

  • "*Defenestrating* old electronics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*defenestrating* old electronics).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  I have a fear of defenestrating valuable items.

  I have a fear of defenestrating valuable items.

  • "Of *defenestrating* valuable items" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *defenestrating* valuable items).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• wish
• decide

Example

They plan to defenestrate the old furniture tomorrow.

He refuses to defenestrate anything that is not broken.

We attempted to defenestrate the spider from the room.

I wish to defenestrate all the clutter in my house.

She decided to defenestrate the outdated documents.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• resist

Example

She avoids defenestrating fragile items.

They recommend defenestrating unnecessary paperwork.

I don't mind defenestrating old magazines.

He considered defenestrating the broken mirror.

We resisted defenestrating the sentimental items.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

She likes to defenestrate random objects. She likes defenestrating random objects.

We began to defenestrate old furniture. We began defenestrating old furniture.

He stopped to defenestrate things out of frustration. He stopped defenestrating things out of frustration.