To Dissimulate vs Dissimulating 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 dissimulate (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refused to dissimulate his true intentions.

Dissimulating (Gerund)

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

Example

Dissimulating his true intentions is a common tactic.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dissimulate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dissimulate is not a good strategy in the long run.

  To dissimulate is not a good strategy in the long run.

  • "*To dissimulate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good strategy in the long run).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to dissimulate his emotions.

  She wants him to dissimulate his emotions.

  • "Him *to dissimulate* his emotions" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to dissimulate* his emotions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a mask to dissimulate my identity.

  I need a mask to dissimulate my identity.

  • "*To dissimulate* my identity" modifies the noun "mask."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mask *to dissimulate* my identity).

Dissimulating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dissimulating can be exhausting.

  Dissimulating can be exhausting.

  • "*Dissimulating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (exhausting).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dissimulating during social gatherings.

  I enjoy dissimulating during social gatherings.

  • "*Dissimulating* during social gatherings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dissimulating* during social gatherings).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for dissimulating her emotions.

  She has a talent for dissimulating her emotions.

  • "For *dissimulating* her emotions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *dissimulating* her emotions).

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
• refuse
• pretend
• attempt
• choose

Example

He plans to dissimulate his involvement in the project.

They refused to dissimulate their true feelings.

She pretended to dissimulate her knowledge of the topic.

We attempted to dissimulate our surprise.

They chose to dissimulate their disappointment.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• deny
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys dissimulating in front of others.

They avoid dissimulating their true intentions.

She denies dissimulating any knowledge of the incident.

We are considering dissimulating our intentions.

Can you imagine dissimulating your emotions in that situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to dissimulate in order to gain an advantage. She likes dissimulating in order to gain an advantage.

He started to dissimulate after realizing the consequences. He started dissimulating after realizing the consequences.

They began to dissimulate their true intentions. They began dissimulating their true intentions.