To Degust vs Degusting 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 degust (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to degust different types of wine to expand my palate.

Degusting (Gerund)

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

Example

Degusting various dishes is a great way to explore different cuisines.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To degust (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To degust is a sensory experience.

  To degust is a sensory experience.

  • "*To degust*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sensory experience).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to degust the new dishes at the restaurant.

  She wants me to degust the new dishes at the restaurant.

  • "Me *to degust* the new dishes at the restaurant" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to degust* the new dishes at the restaurant).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a professional to degust the wines for our event.

  I need a professional to degust the wines for our event.

  • "*To degust* the wines for our event" modifies the noun "professional."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a professional *to degust* the wines for our event).

Degusting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Degusting different wines is a hobby of mine.

  Degusting different wines is a hobby of mine.

  • "*Degusting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a hobby of mine).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy degusting exotic foods from around the world.

  I enjoy degusting exotic foods from around the world.

  • "*Degusting* exotic foods from around the world" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*degusting* exotic foods from around the world).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for degusting fine wines.

  She has a passion for degusting fine wines.

  • "For *degusting* fine wines" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *degusting* fine wines).

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

• recommend
• plan
• hope
• want
• decide

Example

They recommend to degust the wines before purchasing them.

We plan to degust a variety of cheeses at the tasting event.

He hopes to degust the local cuisine during his trip.

She wants to degust the new flavors of ice cream.

I decided to degust the different coffee blends at the cafe.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin
• enjoy
• prefer

Example

They like degusting different types of chocolate.

We started degusting craft beers from local breweries.

He began degusting artisanal cheeses from small producers.

I enjoy degusting gourmet coffees from different regions.

She prefers degusting homemade desserts instead of store-bought ones.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• like
• begin
• try
• continue

Example

He enjoys to degust rare whiskeys. He enjoys degusting rare whiskeys.

She likes to degust various types of tea. She likes degusting various types of tea.

They began to degust different olive oils. They began degusting different olive oils.

I tried to degust the local delicacies. I tried degusting the local delicacies.

We will continue to degust new wines. We will continue degusting new wines.