To Genuflect vs Genuflecting 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 genuflect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to genuflect before entering the church.

Genuflecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Genuflecting is a common practice in Catholic churches.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To genuflect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To genuflect is a sign of respect in many religions.

  To genuflect is a sign of respect in many religions.

  • "*To genuflect*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of respect in many religions).
• 2. Object

  He asked me to genuflect during the ceremony.

  He asked me to genuflect during the ceremony.

  • "Me *to genuflect* during the ceremony" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to genuflect* during the ceremony).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a kneeler to genuflect properly.

  She needs a kneeler to genuflect properly.

  • "*To genuflect* properly" modifies the noun "kneeler."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a kneeler *to genuflect* properly).

Genuflecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Genuflecting is a way to show humility.

  Genuflecting is a way to show humility.

  • "*Genuflecting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a way to show humility).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy genuflecting during the religious service.

  I enjoy genuflecting during the religious service.

  • "*Genuflecting* during the religious service" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*genuflecting* during the religious service).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a deep reverence for genuflecting.

  She has a deep reverence for genuflecting.

  • "For *genuflecting*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a deep reverence for *genuflecting*).

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

They plan to genuflect during the wedding ceremony.

I hope to genuflect at the holy shrine one day.

He wants to genuflect in front of the altar.

We decided to genuflect before receiving communion.

They agreed to genuflect as a sign of reverence.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They recommend genuflecting as a form of prayer.

He avoids genuflecting due to physical limitations.

I am considering genuflecting as part of my spiritual practice.

Do you mind genuflecting before entering the church?

Can you imagine yourself genuflecting in front of a crowd?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to genuflect in the chapel. She likes genuflecting in the chapel.

We began to genuflect as a gesture of respect. We began genuflecting as a gesture of respect.

He continues to genuflect every time he enters a church. He continues genuflecting every time he enters a church.