To Demark vs Demarking 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 demark (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to demark the boundaries of my property.

Demarking (Gerund)

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

Example

Demarking is crucial to avoid property disputes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To demark (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To demark is an important step in establishing property lines.

  To demark is an important step in establishing property lines.

  • "*To demark*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in establishing property lines).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to demark the boundaries of his land.

  He wants me to demark the boundaries of his land.

  • "Me *to demark* the boundaries of his land" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to demark* the boundaries of his land).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a clear method to demark the territory.

  They need a clear method to demark the territory.

  • "*To demark* the territory" modifies the noun "method."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear method *to demark* the territory).

Demarking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Demarking should be done by a professional surveyor.

  Demarking should be done by a professional surveyor.

  • "*Demarking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (should be done) + noun phrase (by a professional surveyor).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys demarking the boundaries of her garden.

  She enjoys demarking the boundaries of her garden.

  • "*Demarking* the boundaries of her garden" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*demarking* the boundaries of her garden).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for demarking land accurately.

  He has a talent for demarking land accurately.

  • "For *demarking* land accurately" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *demarking* land accurately).

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
• refuse
• want
• hope

Example

She plans to demark the property lines next week.

We decided to demark the boundaries ourselves.

He refused to demark the area without proper tools.

They want to demark their land accurately.

I hope to demark the boundaries soon.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• understand

Example

They recommend professional assistance when demarking property.

She avoids mistakes by double-checking while demarking.

I am considering demarking the boundaries of my land.

He postponed demarking until the weather improves.

Do you understand the importance of demarking?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to demark my property. I would like demarking my property.

They started to demark their land boundaries. They started demarking their land boundaries.

She began to demark the property lines. She began demarking the property lines.