Help center

To Fleece vs Fleecing 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 fleece (Infinitive)

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

Example

The scammer attempted to fleece unsuspecting victims out of their money.

Fleecing (Gerund)

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

Example

Fleecing innocent people is a criminal act.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fleece (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To fleece people is unethical and immoral.

    To fleece people is unethical and immoral.

    • "*To fleece* people" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (unethical and immoral).
  • 2Object

    He wants his friend to fleece the customers.

    He wants his friend to fleece the customers.

    • "His friend *to fleece* the customers" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + possessive pronoun (his) + noun phrase (friend *to fleece* the customers).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    She needs a strategy to fleece wealthy investors.

    She needs a strategy to fleece wealthy investors.

    • "*To fleece* wealthy investors" modifies the noun "strategy."
    • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strategy *to fleece* wealthy investors).

Fleecing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Fleecing others is considered a dishonest practice.

    Fleecing others is considered a dishonest practice.

    • "*Fleecing* others" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered a dishonest practice).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy fleecing wealthy individuals of their assets.

    I enjoy fleecing wealthy individuals of their assets.

    • "*Fleecing* wealthy individuals of their assets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fleecing* wealthy individuals of their assets).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    They were accused of fleecing the elderly.

    They were accused of fleecing the elderly.

    • "*Fleecing* the elderly" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (They) + verb (were accused of) + gerund (*fleecing* the elderly).

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

The thief plans to fleece the unsuspecting tourists.

They hope to fleece the naive investors for a huge profit.

He wants to fleece the vulnerable population.

We decided to fleece the wealthy businessmen at the conference.

They agreed to fleece the gullible customers together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She avoids fleecing innocent people for personal gain.

Experts recommend taking legal action against those who are fleecing the public.

Do you mind me fleecing you in this game?

He denies fleecing his clients for financial gain.

Can you imagine someone fleecing their own family members?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to fleece unsuspecting tourists. She likes fleecing unsuspecting tourists.

They started to fleece the wealthy elite. They started fleecing the wealthy elite.

He began to fleece innocent people for personal gain. He began fleecing innocent people for personal gain.

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!