To Menstruate vs Menstruating 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 menstruate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to menstruate during my vacation.

Menstruating (Gerund)

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

Example

Menstruating can sometimes cause mood swings.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To menstruate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To menstruate is a natural process for women.

  To menstruate is a natural process for women.

  • "*To menstruate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process for women).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to menstruate on time.

  She wants me to menstruate on time.

  • "Me *to menstruate* on time" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to menstruate* on time).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need comfortable products to menstruate with.

  I need comfortable products to menstruate with.

  • "*To menstruate* with" modifies the noun "products."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (comfortable products *to menstruate* with).

Menstruating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Menstruating can be uncomfortable for some women.

  Menstruating can be uncomfortable for some women.

  • "*Menstruating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + adjective phrase (uncomfortable for some women).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy menstruating in peace.

  I enjoy menstruating in peace.

  • "*Menstruating* in peace" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*menstruating* in peace).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has no control over her menstruating cycle.

  She has no control over her menstruating cycle.

  • "Over her *menstruating* cycle" is the object of the preposition "over."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (no control over her *menstruating* cycle).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to menstruate without any discomfort.

They hope to menstruate regularly.

He wants to menstruate naturally.

We decided to menstruate without any pain.

They agreed to menstruate at the same time.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys menstruating without any pain.

They recommend using proper hygiene products while menstruating.

I avoid heavy physical activities while menstruating.

Have you considered using alternative methods for menstruating?

Can you imagine menstruating for a whole month?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to menstruate without any discomfort. She likes menstruating without any discomfort.

We started to menstruate at an early age. We started menstruating at an early age.

He began to menstruate regularly. He began menstruating regularly.