To Derate vs Derating 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 derate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to derate the power output of the generator.

Derating (Gerund)

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

Example

Derating the equipment is necessary for safe operation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To derate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To derate is a common practice in engineering.

  To derate is a common practice in engineering.

  • "*To derate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in engineering).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to derate the machine.

  She wants me to derate the machine.

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

  We need a lower voltage to derate the system.

  We need a lower voltage to derate the system.

  • "*To derate* the system" modifies the noun "voltage."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lower voltage *to derate* the system).

Derating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Derating is a common practice in the aerospace industry.

  Derating is a common practice in the aerospace industry.

  • "*Derating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in the aerospace industry).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy derating the power supply.

  I enjoy derating the power supply.

  • "*Derating* the power supply" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*derating* the power supply).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has experience in derating electronic components.

  He has experience in derating electronic components.

  • "In *derating* electronic components" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *derating* electronic components).

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

• decide
• plan
• attempt
• refuse
• manage

Example

They decided to derate the engine for better fuel efficiency.

We plan to derate the equipment to extend its lifespan.

He attempted to derate the power consumption of the device.

She refused to derate the system despite the high temperatures.

They managed to derate the load on the circuit.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine
• understand

Example

Experts recommend derating the equipment to avoid overheating.

We are considering derating the system for improved reliability.

They avoid derating the devices unnecessarily.

Can you imagine derating the power output by 50%?

I understand the importance of derating electrical components.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to derate the system when necessary. She likes derating the system when necessary.

We started to derate the equipment for safety reasons. We started derating the equipment for safety reasons.

He began to derate the power supply during peak hours. He began derating the power supply during peak hours.