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 for a smoother finish.

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 precision.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To delaminate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To delaminate the wood is a difficult process.

  To delaminate the wood is a difficult process.

  • "*To delaminate* the wood" 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 plywood sheets.

  She wants me to delaminate the plywood sheets.

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

  We need a scraper to delaminate the layers of paint.

  We need a scraper to delaminate the layers of paint.

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

Delaminating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Delaminating the metal is a common process in manufacturing.

  Delaminating the metal is a common process in manufacturing.

  • "*Delaminating* the metal" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common process in manufacturing).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy delaminating the layers of the wood.

  I enjoy delaminating the layers of the wood.

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

  He has experience in delaminating various materials.

  He has experience in delaminating various materials.

  • "In *delaminating* various materials" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *delaminating* various 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
• decide
• attempt
• refuse
• wish

Example

He plans to delaminate the old wallpaper tomorrow.

They decided to delaminate the floor tiles themselves.

She attempted to delaminate the glue from the surface.

He refused to delaminate the layers of the laminate countertop.

I wish to delaminate the veneer without damaging it.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

They recommend using a heat gun for delaminating the plastic.

She avoids delaminating fragile materials.

Can you imagine yourself delaminating the layers of glass?

He is considering delaminating the layers of fabric.

They resist delaminating the layers of metal due to safety concerns.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to delaminate the layers of paint for a fresh start. I like delaminating the layers of paint for a fresh start.

We began to delaminate the adhesive from the surface. We began delaminating the adhesive from the surface.

He continues to delaminate the layers of the material for further inspection. He continues delaminating the layers of the material for further inspection.