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To Epimerize vs Epimerizing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To epimerize (Infinitive)

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

Example

Scientists are trying to epimerize the compound to study its effects.

Epimerizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Epimerizing the compound can lead to different biological activities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To epimerize (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To epimerize is a common chemical reaction in organic chemistry.

    To epimerize is a common chemical reaction in organic chemistry.

    • "*To epimerize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common chemical reaction in organic chemistry).
  • 2Object

    They want me to epimerize the compound.

    They want me to epimerize the compound.

    • "Me *to epimerize* the compound" is the object of the verb "want."
    • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to epimerize* the compound).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a catalyst to epimerize the molecule.

    We need a catalyst to epimerize the molecule.

    • "*To epimerize* the molecule" modifies the noun "catalyst."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a catalyst *to epimerize* the molecule).

Epimerizing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Epimerizing is an important step in the synthesis of certain drugs.

    Epimerizing is an important step in the synthesis of certain drugs.

    • "*Epimerizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the synthesis of certain drugs).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy epimerizing complex molecules.

    I enjoy epimerizing complex molecules.

    • "*Epimerizing* complex molecules" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*epimerizing* complex molecules).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for epimerizing natural products.

    She has a talent for epimerizing natural products.

    • "For *epimerizing* natural products" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *epimerizing* natural products).

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

Example

She plans to epimerize the sample next week.

They hope to epimerize the compound successfully.

He wants to epimerize the molecule for further analysis.

We decided to epimerize the substance under different conditions.

They agreed to epimerize the compound together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys epimerizing compounds in the lab.

They recommend epimerizing the molecule for better stability.

I dislike the process of epimerizing small molecules.

He avoids epimerizing complex mixtures.

Can you imagine yourself epimerizing molecules in a research setting?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

Scientists like to epimerize compounds for drug development. Scientists like epimerizing compounds for drug development.

We started to epimerize the molecule for our experiment. We started epimerizing the molecule for our experiment.

He began to epimerize the compound for purification. He began epimerizing the compound for purification.

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