When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To hypothesise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to hypothesise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
Scientists often use experiments to hypothesise about the outcome.
Hypothesising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hypothesising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Hypothesising allows scientists to make predictions.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To hypothesise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To hypothesise is an important step in the scientific method.
To hypothesise is an important step in the scientific method.
- "*To hypothesise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the scientific method).
- 2Object
She wants me to hypothesise about the experiment.
She wants me to hypothesise about the experiment.
- "Me *to hypothesise* about the experiment" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hypothesise* about the experiment).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a research question to hypothesise.
I need a research question to hypothesise.
- "*To hypothesise*" modifies the noun "research question."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a research question *to hypothesise*).
Hypothesising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Hypothesising is a crucial part of the scientific process.
Hypothesising is a crucial part of the scientific process.
- "*Hypothesising*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial part of the scientific process).
- 2Object
I enjoy hypothesising about different outcomes.
I enjoy hypothesising about different outcomes.
- "*Hypothesising* about different outcomes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hypothesising* about different outcomes).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for hypothesising in her field of study.
She has a passion for hypothesising in her field of study.
- "For *hypothesising* in her field of study" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *hypothesising* in her field of study).
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
They plan to hypothesise different scenarios for the project.
We hope to hypothesise a solution to the problem.
He wants to hypothesise about the potential causes.
I decided to hypothesise based on the available data.
They agreed to hypothesise together for their research.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys hypothesising about different variables.
They recommend hypothesising multiple hypotheses for accurate results.
We are considering hypothesising alternative explanations.
She avoids hypothesising unsupported claims.
Can you imagine yourself hypothesising in a laboratory?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
Scientists like to hypothesise different theories. Scientists like hypothesising different theories.
We started to hypothesise about the experiment. We started hypothesising about the experiment.
He began to hypothesise possible outcomes. He began hypothesising possible outcomes.
