To Inculcate vs Inculcating 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 inculcate (Infinitive)

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

Example

Teachers strive to inculcate a love for learning in their students.

Inculcating (Gerund)

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

Example

Inculcating good habits at a young age is crucial.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inculcate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inculcate values is an important aspect of parenting.

  To inculcate values is an important aspect of parenting.

  • "*To inculcate* values" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important aspect of parenting).
• 2. Object

  She encourages her students to inculcate good habits.

  She encourages her students to inculcate good habits.

  • "Her students *to inculcate* good habits" is the object of the verb "encourages."
  • Noun (She) + verb (encourages) + noun phrase (her students *to inculcate* good habits).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a positive environment to inculcate creativity.

  He needs a positive environment to inculcate creativity.

  • "*To inculcate* creativity" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a positive environment *to inculcate* creativity).

Inculcating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inculcating values is an ongoing process.

  Inculcating values is an ongoing process.

  • "*Inculcating* values" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an ongoing process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inculcating knowledge in my students.

  I enjoy inculcating knowledge in my students.

  • "*Inculcating* knowledge" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inculcating* knowledge).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for inculcating discipline in her team.

  She has a talent for inculcating discipline in her team.

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

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

• hope
• want
• plan
• decide
• attempt

Example

Parents hope to inculcate strong values in their children.

She wants to inculcate a sense of responsibility in her students.

They plan to inculcate a passion for art in the community.

We decided to inculcate a culture of empathy in the organization.

He attempted to inculcate a love for reading in his students.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

Teachers recommend inculcating a growth mindset in students.

They enjoy inculcating a love for nature in children.

Parents should avoid inculcating fear in their children.

We are considering inculcating teamwork skills in our employees.

Can you imagine inculcating a sense of social responsibility in society?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to inculcate positive values in her students. She likes inculcating positive values in her students.

They began to inculcate mindfulness practices in their daily routine. They began inculcating mindfulness practices in their daily routine.

He continues to inculcate critical thinking skills in his students. He continues inculcating critical thinking skills in his students.