To Elocute vs Elocuting 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 elocute (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to elocute in front of a large audience.

Elocuting (Gerund)

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

Example

Elocuting requires excellent public speaking skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To elocute (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To elocute is his greatest passion.

  To elocute is his greatest passion.

  • "*To elocute*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his greatest passion).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to elocute at the conference.

  She wants me to elocute at the conference.

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

  I need a platform to elocute my ideas.

  I need a platform to elocute my ideas.

  • "*To elocute* my ideas" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to elocute* my ideas).

Elocuting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Elocuting is a powerful tool for effective communication.

  Elocuting is a powerful tool for effective communication.

  • "*Elocuting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a powerful tool for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy elocuting in front of a crowd.

  I enjoy elocuting in front of a crowd.

  • "*Elocuting* in front of a crowd" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*elocuting* in front of a crowd).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for elocuting complex ideas.

  She has a talent for elocuting complex ideas.

  • "For *elocuting* complex ideas" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *elocuting* complex ideas).

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

He plans to elocute on various topics throughout the year.

They hope to elocute about social issues at the event.

She wants to elocute in front of a live audience.

We decided to elocute at the conference next month.

They agreed to elocute together on stage.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys elocuting on various topics.

They recommend regular elocuting for improving public speaking skills.

I dislike the idea of elocuting in front of a large audience.

She avoids elocuting in stressful situations.

Can you imagine yourself elocuting in multiple languages?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to elocute in debates and discussions. He likes elocuting in debates and discussions.

We started to elocute professionally. We started elocuting professionally.

She began to elocute at a young age. She began elocuting at a young age.