To Moulder vs Mouldering 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 moulder (Infinitive)

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

Example

The old books moulder away in the dusty attic.

Mouldering (Gerund)

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

Example

The abandoned house is filled with mouldering furniture.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To moulder (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To moulder is a natural process of decay.

  To moulder is a natural process of decay.

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

  He wants the fruit to moulder in the compost pile.

  He wants the fruit to moulder in the compost pile.

  • "The fruit *to moulder* in the compost pile" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the fruit *to moulder* in the compost pile).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a dark and damp place to moulder the cheese.

  I need a dark and damp place to moulder the cheese.

  • "*To moulder* the cheese" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dark and damp place *to moulder* the cheese).

Mouldering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mouldering is a sign of neglect and decay.

  Mouldering is a sign of neglect and decay.

  • "*Mouldering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of neglect and decay).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys the smell of mouldering leaves in the forest.

  She enjoys the smell of mouldering leaves in the forest.

  • "The smell of *mouldering* leaves in the forest" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (the smell of *mouldering* leaves in the forest).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of mouldering objects.

  He has a fear of mouldering objects.

  • "Of *mouldering* objects" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *mouldering* objects).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• wish
• plan

Example

We decided to moulder the old furniture instead of throwing it away.

She refused to moulder the food and threw it out instead.

They attempted to moulder the clay into different shapes.

He wished to moulder the clay into a beautiful sculpture.

We are planning to moulder the wood for our DIY project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• resist

Example

They avoid entering the mouldering building due to safety concerns.

I am considering using the mouldering wood for a rustic look in my home.

Experts recommend removing mouldering materials to prevent health hazards.

He postponed the renovation project due to the discovery of mouldering walls.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of the mouldering ruins.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

They like to moulder old photographs. They like mouldering old photographs.

She began to moulder the clay into unique sculptures. She began mouldering the clay into unique sculptures.

We will continue to moulder the cheese for a few more weeks. We will continue mouldering the cheese for a few more weeks.