To Dulcify vs Dulcifying 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 dulcify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dulcify the dessert by adding some honey.

Dulcifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Dulcifying the dish will enhance its flavor.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dulcify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dulcify is a process of adding sweetness to a dish.

  To dulcify is a process of adding sweetness to a dish.

  • "*To dulcify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a process of adding sweetness to a dish).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to dulcify the tea with sugar.

  She wants me to dulcify the tea with sugar.

  • "Me *to dulcify* the tea with sugar" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dulcify* the tea with sugar).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a sweetener to dulcify the drink.

  I need a sweetener to dulcify the drink.

  • "*To dulcify* the drink" modifies the noun "sweetener."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sweetener *to dulcify* the drink).

Dulcifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dulcifying is an important step in dessert making.

  Dulcifying is an important step in dessert making.

  • "*Dulcifying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in dessert making).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dulcifying my coffee with flavored syrups.

  I enjoy dulcifying my coffee with flavored syrups.

  • "*Dulcifying* my coffee with flavored syrups" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dulcifying* my coffee with flavored syrups).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for dulcifying desserts.

  She has a knack for dulcifying desserts.

  • "For *dulcifying* desserts" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *dulcifying* desserts).

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

• agree
• plan
• refuse
• choose
• hope

Example

They agreed to dulcify the recipe by adding more sugar.

We plan to dulcify the cake with a sugary glaze.

He refuses to dulcify the dish with artificial sweeteners.

She chose to dulcify the beverage with honey instead of sugar.

I hope to dulcify the jam to make it less tart.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend dulcifying the sauce with a touch of honey.

He avoids dulcifying his dishes with artificial sweeteners.

Can you imagine dulcifying your favorite drink with a splash of syrup?

She is considering dulcifying the cake with a fruit glaze.

I don't mind dulcifying the dessert if it enhances the taste.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to dulcify her desserts with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. She likes dulcifying her desserts with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

We began to dulcify our beverages with natural sweeteners. We began dulcifying our beverages with natural sweeteners.

He continues to dulcify his dishes with various types of sugars. He continues dulcifying his dishes with various types of sugars.