To Enfeoff vs Enfeoffing 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 enfeoff (Infinitive)

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

Example

The king decided to enfeoff his loyal nobles with land.

Enfeoffing (Gerund)

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

Example

Enfeoffing was a common practice during the feudal era.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enfeoff (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enfeoff is a medieval practice of granting land to vassals.

  To enfeoff is a medieval practice of granting land to vassals.

  • "*To enfeoff*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a medieval practice of granting land to vassals).
• 2. Object

  They want us to enfeoff them with the estate.

  They want us to enfeoff them with the estate.

  • "Us *to enfeoff* them with the estate" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to enfeoff* them with the estate).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a legal document to enfeoff his vassals.

  He needs a legal document to enfeoff his vassals.

  • "*To enfeoff* his vassals" modifies the noun "document."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a legal document *to enfeoff* his vassals).

Enfeoffing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Enfeoffing nobles was a way to secure their loyalty.

  Enfeoffing nobles was a way to secure their loyalty.

  • "*Enfeoffing* nobles" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a way to secure their loyalty).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy enfeoffing deserving individuals with land.

  I enjoy enfeoffing deserving individuals with land.

  • "*Enfeoffing* deserving individuals with land" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*enfeoffing* deserving individuals with land).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for enfeoffing her vassals.

  She has a talent for enfeoffing her vassals.

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

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

• promise
• refuse
• attempt
• determine
• wish

Example

The lord promised to enfeoff his most trusted knight.

She refused to enfeoff any more nobles with land.

They attempted to enfeoff the new vassals but faced opposition.

We determined to enfeoff the heirs with their rightful properties.

I wish to enfeoff my loyal subjects with vast estates.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

They recommend enfeoffing loyal vassals with smaller estates.

He avoids enfeoffing those who are unworthy.

Can you imagine yourself enfeoffing your subjects with land?

We are considering enfeoffing the new generation of knights.

She resisted enfeoffing her rivals with valuable territories.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to enfeoff their loyal followers. They would like enfeoffing their loyal followers.

He started to enfeoff his knights after his coronation. He started enfeoffing his knights after his coronation.

She began to enfeoff her most trusted advisors. She began enfeoffing her most trusted advisors.