When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To hypothesize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to hypothesize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to hypothesize about the possible outcomes of the experiment.
Hypothesizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hypothesizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Hypothesizing helps scientists make predictions and design experiments.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To hypothesize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To hypothesize is an important step in the scientific method.
To hypothesize is an important step in the scientific method.
- "*To hypothesize*" 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 hypothesize about the potential causes of the problem.
She wants me to hypothesize about the potential causes of the problem.
- "Me *to hypothesize* about the potential causes of the problem" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hypothesize* about the potential causes of the problem).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a theory to hypothesize possible solutions.
We need a theory to hypothesize possible solutions.
- "*To hypothesize* possible solutions" modifies the noun "theory."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a theory *to hypothesize* possible solutions).
Hypothesizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Hypothesizing requires critical thinking skills.
Hypothesizing requires critical thinking skills.
- "*Hypothesizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (critical thinking skills).
- 2Object
I enjoy hypothesizing about the potential outcomes of scientific studies.
I enjoy hypothesizing about the potential outcomes of scientific studies.
- "*Hypothesizing* about the potential outcomes of scientific studies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hypothesizing* about the potential outcomes of scientific studies).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for hypothesizing complex theories.
She has a talent for hypothesizing complex theories.
- "For *hypothesizing* complex theories" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *hypothesizing* complex theories).
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 hypothesize different scenarios for the study.
He hopes to hypothesize a new hypothesis for his research.
She wants to hypothesize about the impact of climate change.
We decided to hypothesize multiple variables for our experiment.
They agreed to hypothesize alternative explanations for the results.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys hypothesizing about the mysteries of the universe.
Scientists recommend continuous hypothesizing to advance knowledge.
I dislike the process of hypothesizing without sufficient evidence.
They avoid hasty hypothesizing by conducting thorough research.
Can you imagine yourself hypothesizing groundbreaking theories?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to hypothesize alternative explanations. I would like hypothesizing alternative explanations.
We started to hypothesize different hypotheses. We started hypothesizing different hypotheses.
He began to hypothesize about the potential outcomes. He began hypothesizing about the potential outcomes.
