To Inter vs Interring 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 inter (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to inter my loved one in a peaceful cemetery.

Interring (Gerund)

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

Example

Interring the deceased requires careful planning.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inter (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inter is a respectful way to lay someone to rest.

  To inter is a respectful way to lay someone to rest.

  • "*To inter*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a respectful way to lay someone to rest).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to inter her in the family plot.

  She wants me to inter her in the family plot.

  • "Me *to inter* her in the family plot" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to inter* her in the family plot).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a quiet place to inter our beloved pet.

  We need a quiet place to inter our beloved pet.

  • "*To inter* our beloved pet" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to inter* our beloved pet).

Interring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Interring is a solemn task.

  Interring is a solemn task.

  • "*Interring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a solemn task).
• 2. Object

  We enjoy interring loved ones in peaceful cemeteries.

  We enjoy interring loved ones in peaceful cemeteries.

  • "*Interring* loved ones in peaceful cemeteries" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*interring* loved ones in peaceful cemeteries).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has experience in interring cremated remains.

  He has experience in interring cremated remains.

  • "In *interring* cremated remains" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *interring* cremated remains).

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
• want
• hope
• refuse

Example

They plan to inter their father next month.

We decided to inter our grandmother in the churchyard.

He wants to inter his ashes at sea.

She hopes to inter her husband's remains in the family mausoleum.

They refused to inter the deceased in a public cemetery.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• resist

Example

They avoid interring the deceased in overcrowded cemeteries.

Experts recommend professional assistance when interring human remains.

We are considering interring our pet in a pet cemetery.

Can you imagine interring your loved ones in a beautiful garden cemetery?

He resists interring the deceased without proper religious rites.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to inter her family members in a private cemetery. She likes interring her family members in a private cemetery.

They began to inter their ancestors in a family burial ground. They began interring their ancestors in a family burial ground.

He continues to inter deceased veterans with full military honors. He continues interring deceased veterans with full military honors.