To Mexicanize vs Mexicanizing 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 mexicanize (Infinitive)

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

Example

The restaurant decided to mexicanize their menu to attract more customers.

Mexicanizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Mexicanizing a dish involves adding spices and flavors from Mexican cuisine.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mexicanize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mexicanize is a creative way to add flavor to dishes.

  To mexicanize is a creative way to add flavor to dishes.

  • "*To mexicanize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a creative way to add flavor to dishes).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mexicanize her living room.

  She wants me to mexicanize her living room.

  • "Me *to mexicanize* her living room" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mexicanize* her living room).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a recipe to mexicanize this dish.

  I need a recipe to mexicanize this dish.

  • "*To mexicanize* this dish" modifies the noun "recipe."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a recipe *to mexicanize* this dish).

Mexicanizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mexicanizing your home decor can create a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

  Mexicanizing your home decor can create a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

  • "*Mexicanizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can create) + adjective phrase (a vibrant and lively atmosphere).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mexicanizing my favorite recipes.

  I enjoy mexicanizing my favorite recipes.

  • "*Mexicanizing* my favorite recipes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mexicanizing* my favorite recipes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for mexicanizing desserts.

  She has a passion for mexicanizing desserts.

  • "For *mexicanizing* desserts" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *mexicanizing* desserts).

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

They plan to mexicanize their entire menu next month.

We hope to mexicanize our home with Mexican decorations.

He wants to mexicanize his wardrobe with colorful Mexican clothes.

She decided to mexicanize her hair by dyeing it red and green.

They agreed to mexicanize the party by serving traditional Mexican food.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

They enjoy mexicanizing their home with colorful Mexican artwork.

I recommend mexicanizing your tacos with fresh salsa and guacamole.

He avoids mexicanizing his dishes with too much spice.

Can you imagine mexicanizing your garden with cacti and vibrant flowers?

We are considering mexicanizing our restaurant's menu to cater to a wider audience.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to mexicanize her cocktails with tequila and lime. She likes mexicanizing her cocktails with tequila and lime.

We started to mexicanize our traditional family recipes. We started mexicanizing our traditional family recipes.

He began to mexicanize his wardrobe with colorful Mexican prints. He began mexicanizing his wardrobe with colorful Mexican prints.