To Gestate vs Gestating 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 gestate (Infinitive)

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

Example

The female kangaroo is known to gestate her young for approximately 30-35 days.

Gestating (Gerund)

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

Example

Gestating a new business requires careful planning and execution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To gestate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To gestate is a natural process for many mammals.

  To gestate is a natural process for many mammals.

  • "*To gestate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process for many mammals).
• 2. Object

  They want me to gestate their project idea.

  They want me to gestate their project idea.

  • "Me *to gestate* their project idea" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to gestate* their project idea).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a warm environment to gestate her eggs.

  She needs a warm environment to gestate her eggs.

  • "*To gestate* her eggs" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a warm environment *to gestate* her eggs).

Gestating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Gestating a baby is an incredible journey for expectant parents.

  Gestating a baby is an incredible journey for expectant parents.

  • "*Gestating* a baby" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an incredible journey for expectant parents).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy gestating new ideas and bringing them to life.

  I enjoy gestating new ideas and bringing them to life.

  • "*Gestating* new ideas and bringing them to life" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gestating* new ideas and bringing them to life).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for gestating successful projects.

  She has a talent for gestating successful projects.

  • "For *gestating* successful projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *gestating* successful projects).

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
• decide
• hope
• choose
• struggle

Example

He plans to gestate their business strategy before launching.

We decided to gestate the idea further before making a decision.

They hope to gestate a new concept for their next project.

She chose to gestate her creative ideas before sharing them with others.

He struggles to gestate his thoughts into concrete plans.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• understand

Example

They recommend gestating the business plan thoroughly before implementation.

He avoids gestating unrealistic expectations to maintain focus.

We are considering gestating a new product line for our company.

Do you mind gestating the responsibilities of the role?

I understand the importance of gestating ideas before taking action.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to gestate her ideas before presenting them. She likes gestating her ideas before presenting them.

We began to gestate the project from scratch. We began gestating the project from scratch.

He continues to gestate his plans for the future. He continues gestating his plans for the future.