To Ovulate vs Ovulating 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 ovulate (Infinitive)

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

Example

She wants to ovulate this month to increase her chances of getting pregnant.

Ovulating (Gerund)

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

Example

Ovulating is a sign that a woman is fertile.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ovulate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ovulate is a natural part of a woman's menstrual cycle.

  To ovulate is a natural part of a woman's menstrual cycle.

  • "*To ovulate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural part of a woman's menstrual cycle).
• 2. Object

  He wants her to ovulate on time.

  He wants her to ovulate on time.

  • "Her *to ovulate* on time" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her *to ovulate* on time).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reliable method to ovulate regularly.

  I need a reliable method to ovulate regularly.

  • "*To ovulate* regularly" modifies the noun "method."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable method *to ovulate* regularly).

Ovulating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ovulating can be tracked using various methods.

  Ovulating can be tracked using various methods.

  • "*Ovulating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be tracked) + noun phrase (using various methods).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ovulating regularly.

  I enjoy ovulating regularly.

  • "*Ovulating* regularly" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ovulating* regularly).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of ovulating at the wrong time.

  She has a fear of ovulating at the wrong time.

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

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 ovulate during her fertility window.

They hope to ovulate at the optimal time for conception.

He wants to ovulate naturally without medical intervention.

We decided to ovulate using ovulation predictor kits.

They agreed to ovulate together for a better chance of success.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys ovulating and feeling in tune with her body.

Doctors recommend tracking and monitoring ovulating for family planning.

I dislike the discomfort that comes with ovulating.

She avoids stressful situations while ovulating.

Can you imagine the excitement of ovulating and trying to conceive?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to ovulate on schedule. She would like ovulating to occur predictably.

They started to ovulate earlier than expected. They started ovulating earlier than expected.

He began to ovulate regularly after making lifestyle changes. He began ovulating regularly after making lifestyle changes.