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

I refuse to moulder away in this job.

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

Mouldering away in this job is not my idea of success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To moulder (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To moulder away is a waste of time.

  To moulder away is a waste of time.

  • "*To moulder* away" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a waste of time).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to moulder away in this position.

  She wants me to moulder away in this position.

  • "Me *to moulder* away in this position" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to moulder* away in this position).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a challenging job to moulder away his skills.

  He needs a challenging job to moulder away his skills.

  • "*To moulder* away his skills" modifies the noun "job."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a challenging job *to moulder* away his skills).

Mouldering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mouldering away in this position is disheartening.

  Mouldering away in this position is disheartening.

  • "*Mouldering* away in this position" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (disheartening).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mouldering away in my thoughts.

  I enjoy mouldering away in my thoughts.

  • "*Mouldering* away in my thoughts" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mouldering* away in my thoughts).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of mouldering.

  She has a fear of mouldering.

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

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
• attempt
• refuse

Example

They decided to moulder away in their current role.

I hope to moulder away in retirement.

She wants to moulder away in a peaceful countryside.

He attempted to moulder away in solitude.

We refuse to moulder away in a dead-end job.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• deny

Example

He avoids mouldering away in unfulfilling jobs.

They recommend mouldering away in creative pursuits.

I am considering mouldering away in retirement.

We postponed mouldering away in that position.

She denies mouldering away in her current circumstances.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to moulder away in solitude. I would like mouldering away in solitude.

He began to moulder away in his old age. He began mouldering away in his old age.

They continue to moulder away in their unfulfilling jobs. They continue mouldering away in their unfulfilling jobs.