To Distend vs Distending 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 distend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to distend the balloon to its maximum capacity.

Distending (Gerund)

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

Example

Distending the balloon requires careful monitoring.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To distend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To distend is the goal of this experiment.

  To distend is the goal of this experiment.

  • "*To distend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of this experiment).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to distend the rubber band.

  He wants me to distend the rubber band.

  • "Me *to distend* the rubber band" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to distend* the rubber band).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a container to distend the liquid.

  We need a container to distend the liquid.

  • "*To distend* the liquid" modifies the noun "container."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a container *to distend* the liquid).

Distending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Distending the stomach can cause discomfort.

  Distending the stomach can cause discomfort.

  • "*Distending* the stomach" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can cause) + noun phrase (discomfort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy distending the dough to create a fluffy texture.

  I enjoy distending the dough to create a fluffy texture.

  • "*Distending* the dough" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*distending* the dough).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for distending her arguments.

  She has a talent for distending her arguments.

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

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to distend the balloon tomorrow.

They hope to distend the dough evenly for a perfect crust.

He wants to distend the fabric for a better fit.

We decided to distend the pipe to increase water flow.

They agreed to distend the rubber band for the experiment.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys distending the balloons for parties.

They recommend avoiding distending the muscles beyond their limits.

I dislike the idea of distending the material too much.

He avoids distending the rubber band to prevent breakage.

Can you imagine yourself distending your knowledge in this field?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to distend her creations. She likes distending her creations.

We started to distend the balloon slowly. We started distending the balloon slowly.

He began to distend the material with air. He began distending the material with air.