To Exalt vs Exalting 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 exalt (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to exalt my team's achievements in the presentation.

Exalting (Gerund)

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

Example

Exalting others can create a positive environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exalt (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exalt is a form of praise and admiration.

  To exalt is a form of praise and admiration.

  • "*To exalt*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of praise and admiration).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to exalt her accomplishments.

  She wants me to exalt her accomplishments.

  • "Me *to exalt* her accomplishments" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to exalt* her accomplishments).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a platform to exalt their talents.

  I need a platform to exalt their talents.

  • "*To exalt* their talents" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to exalt* their talents).

Exalting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exalting is an act of acknowledging and celebrating someone's success.

  Exalting is an act of acknowledging and celebrating someone's success.

  • "*Exalting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an act of acknowledging and celebrating someone's success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy exalting their accomplishments.

  I enjoy exalting their accomplishments.

  • "*Exalting* their accomplishments" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exalting* their accomplishments).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for exalting the potential in others.

  She has a passion for exalting the potential in others.

  • "For *exalting* the potential in others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *exalting* the potential in others).

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 exalt their hard work during the ceremony.

They hope to exalt their team's performance in the competition.

He wants to exalt their dedication and commitment.

We decided to exalt their achievements at the event.

They agreed to exalt their contributions to the project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys exalting her students' achievements.

They recommend exalting the efforts of the team members.

I dislike the idea of exalting oneself at the expense of others.

He avoids exalting his own accomplishments in public.

Can you imagine exalting someone's achievements in front of a large audience?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to exalt the beauty of nature. She likes exalting the beauty of nature.

We started to exalt each other's strengths. We started exalting each other's strengths.

He began to exalt the virtues of kindness. He began exalting the virtues of kindness.