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 material to examine its structure.

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 material requires precision and expertise.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To delaminate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To delaminate requires careful handling of the delicate layers.

  To delaminate requires careful handling of the delicate layers.

  • "*To delaminate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful handling of the delicate layers).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to delaminate the sample for analysis.

  She wants me to delaminate the sample for analysis.

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

  We need a special tool to delaminate the layers of the material.

  We need a special tool to delaminate the layers of the material.

  • "*To delaminate* the layers of the material" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a special tool *to delaminate* the layers of the material).

Delaminating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Delaminating can be a complex process.

  Delaminating can be a complex process.

  • "*Delaminating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a complex process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy delaminating different materials to study their properties.

  I enjoy delaminating different materials to study their properties.

  • "*Delaminating* different materials to study their properties" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*delaminating* different materials to study their properties).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are experts in the field of delaminating.

  They are experts in the field of delaminating.

  • "In the field of *delaminating*" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (experts in the field of *delaminating*).

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
• decide
• attempt
• demand
• struggle

Example

They plan to delaminate the composite material next week.

He decided to delaminate the sample for further analysis.

We attempted to delaminate the layers, but it was too difficult.

The researchers demanded to delaminate the material for a thorough investigation.

She struggled to delaminate the layers without causing any damage.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

Experts recommend delaminating the material to assess its quality.

It is best to avoid delaminating the layers without proper training.

We are considering delaminating the samples for further analysis.

Do you mind delaminating the material for me?

Imagine the possibilities of delaminating different types of materials.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He likes to delaminate various materials for research purposes. He likes delaminating various materials for research purposes.

We began to delaminate the layers one by one. We began delaminating the layers one by one.

She continues to delaminate the samples with great precision. She continues delaminating the samples with great precision.