Help center

To Excoriate vs Excoriating Infinitives & Gerunds

📝

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 excoriate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to excoriate the company for their unethical practices.

Excoriating (Gerund)

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

Example

Excoriating the company's practices is necessary for change.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To excoriate (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To excoriate is a powerful form of criticism.

    To excoriate is a powerful form of criticism.

    • "*To excoriate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a powerful form of criticism).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to excoriate the politician for his lies.

    She wants me to excoriate the politician for his lies.

    • "Me *to excoriate* the politician for his lies" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to excoriate* the politician for his lies).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a platform to excoriate the corrupt system.

    I need a platform to excoriate the corrupt system.

    • "*To excoriate* the corrupt system" modifies the noun "platform."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to excoriate* the corrupt system).

Excoriating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Excoriating is a form of expressing strong disapproval.

    Excoriating is a form of expressing strong disapproval.

    • "*Excoriating*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of expressing strong disapproval).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy excoriating dishonest politicians.

    I enjoy excoriating dishonest politicians.

    • "*Excoriating* dishonest politicians" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*excoriating* dishonest politicians).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for excoriating unfair policies.

    She has a talent for excoriating unfair policies.

    • "For *excoriating* unfair policies" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *excoriating* unfair policies).

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

He demanded to excoriate the CEO for his incompetence.

They refused to excoriate the government's policies.

We attempted to excoriate the judge for his biased decision.

She chose to excoriate the author for his offensive remarks.

They pretended to excoriate the actor for his poor performance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They recommend excoriating the company's unethical practices.

He avoids excoriating individuals in public.

Can you imagine yourself excoriating the corrupt system?

I resist excoriating my opponents during debates.

We anticipate excoriating the team for their poor performance.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to excoriate dishonest politicians. She likes excoriating dishonest politicians.

We began to excoriate the company's unethical practices. We began excoriating the company's unethical practices.

He continues to excoriate the government's policies. He continues excoriating the government's policies.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!