To Delaminate vs Delaminating 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 delaminate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to delaminate the layers of the plywood.

Delaminating (Gerund)

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

Example

Delaminating the layers of the plywood requires careful handling.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To delaminate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To delaminate the plywood is a difficult process.

  To delaminate the plywood is a difficult process.

  • "*To delaminate* the plywood" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to delaminate the wood panels.

  She wants me to delaminate the wood panels.

  • "Me *to delaminate* the wood panels" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to delaminate* the wood panels).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a tool to delaminate the laminate flooring.

  I need a tool to delaminate the laminate flooring.

  • "*To delaminate* the laminate flooring" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to delaminate* the laminate flooring).

Delaminating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Delaminating the plywood can be time-consuming.

  Delaminating the plywood can be time-consuming.

  • "*Delaminating* the plywood" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (time-consuming).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy delaminating the wood panels.

  I enjoy delaminating the wood panels.

  • "*Delaminating* the wood panels" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*delaminating* the wood panels).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for delaminating different materials.

  She has a passion for delaminating different materials.

  • "For *delaminating* different materials" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *delaminating* different materials).

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

He plans to delaminate the countertop next week.

They hope to delaminate the old wallpaper without damaging the wall.

We want to delaminate the layers of the wooden door.

She decided to delaminate the veneer from the furniture.

They agreed to delaminate the layers of the floorboards.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

He enjoys delaminating various types of surfaces.

Experts recommend wearing protective gear while delaminating.

We should avoid delaminating in poorly ventilated areas.

Can you imagine yourself delaminating a piece of furniture?

She doesn't mind delaminating the old tiles.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to delaminate the layers of the plywood. I like delaminating the layers of the plywood.

They started to delaminate the wooden surface. They started delaminating the wooden surface.

He began to delaminate the laminate flooring. He began delaminating the laminate flooring.