To Matriculate vs Matriculating 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 matriculate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to matriculate at the university next year.

Matriculating (Gerund)

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

Example

Matriculating can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To matriculate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To matriculate is a requirement for admission to the program.

  To matriculate is a requirement for admission to the program.

  • "*To matriculate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a requirement for admission to the program).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to matriculate in the same college as her.

  She wants me to matriculate in the same college as her.

  • "Me *to matriculate* in the same college as her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to matriculate* in the same college as her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a high school diploma to matriculate into this program.

  I need a high school diploma to matriculate into this program.

  • "*To matriculate* into this program" modifies the noun "high school diploma."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a high school diploma *to matriculate* into this program).

Matriculating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Matriculating requires careful preparation and organization.

  Matriculating requires careful preparation and organization.

  • "*Matriculating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful preparation and organization).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy matriculating in different universities.

  I enjoy matriculating in different universities.

  • "*Matriculating* in different universities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*matriculating* in different universities).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for matriculating in prestigious institutions.

  He has a passion for matriculating in prestigious institutions.

  • "For *matriculating*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *matriculating* in prestigious institutions).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• plan
• attempt

Example

We decided to matriculate at the university together.

They hope to matriculate in their dream college.

He wants to matriculate with honors.

She plans to matriculate in the fall semester.

I attempted to matriculate last year but didn't succeed.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• postpone
• imagine

Example

She considers matriculating in a foreign country for a unique experience.

They recommend matriculating early to secure a spot in popular programs.

I avoid matriculating in colleges with high tuition fees.

He postponed matriculating until next year due to personal reasons.

Can you imagine yourself matriculating at a prestigious university?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to matriculate in renowned universities. She likes matriculating in renowned universities.

We started to matriculate at a young age. We started matriculating at a young age.

He began to matriculate in the field of medicine. He began matriculating in the field of medicine.