To Masticate vs Masticating 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 masticate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to masticate my food thoroughly for better digestion.

Masticating (Gerund)

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

Example

Masticating your food properly can lead to better digestion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To masticate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To masticate is an essential part of the digestive process.

  To masticate is an essential part of the digestive process.

  • "*To masticate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of the digestive process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to masticate my food properly.

  She wants me to masticate my food properly.

  • "Me *to masticate* my food properly" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to masticate* my food properly).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a good set of teeth to masticate tough foods.

  I need a good set of teeth to masticate tough foods.

  • "*To masticate* tough foods" modifies the noun "set of teeth."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good set of teeth *to masticate* tough foods).

Masticating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Masticating food thoroughly is important for proper digestion.

  Masticating food thoroughly is important for proper digestion.

  • "*Masticating* food thoroughly" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for proper digestion).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy masticating my food slowly and savoring the flavors.

  I enjoy masticating my food slowly and savoring the flavors.

  • "*Masticating* my food slowly and savoring the flavors" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*masticating* my food slowly and savoring the flavors).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for masticating her food thoroughly.

  She has a preference for masticating her food thoroughly.

  • "For *masticating* her food thoroughly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *masticating* her food thoroughly).

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

• choose
• decide
• refuse
• attempt
• manage

Example

He chose to masticate slowly and enjoy his meal.

We decided to masticate our food thoroughly for better digestion.

She refused to masticate her food properly.

They attempted to masticate the tough meat, but it was difficult.

He managed to masticate the hard candy without breaking his teeth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• practice
• imagine

Example

Doctors recommend masticating food well to aid digestion.

He avoids masticating hard candies to protect his teeth.

They are considering masticating their food more mindfully.

I practice masticating my food slowly for better digestion.

Can you imagine yourself masticating your food with great care?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• prefer

Example

She likes to masticate her food thoroughly. She likes masticating her food thoroughly.

We started to masticate our food slowly. We started masticating our food slowly.

He prefers to masticate his food mindfully. He prefers masticating his food mindfully.