To Percolate vs Percolating 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 percolate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to percolate the coffee for a few more minutes for a stronger flavor.

Percolating (Gerund)

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

Example

Percolating the coffee creates a rich aroma in the kitchen.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To percolate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To percolate is an important step in making coffee.

  To percolate is an important step in making coffee.

  • "*To percolate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in making coffee).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to percolate the coffee before serving.

  She wants me to percolate the coffee before serving.

  • "Me *to percolate* the coffee before serving" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to percolate* the coffee before serving).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a longer time to percolate the tea leaves.

  I need a longer time to percolate the tea leaves.

  • "*To percolate* the tea leaves" modifies the noun "time."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a longer time *to percolate* the tea leaves).

Percolating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Percolating is a common method for brewing coffee.

  Percolating is a common method for brewing coffee.

  • "*Percolating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common method for brewing coffee).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy percolating my own coffee at home.

  I enjoy percolating my own coffee at home.

  • "*Percolating* my own coffee at home" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*percolating* my own coffee at home).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for percolating coffee to perfection.

  She has a talent for percolating coffee to perfection.

  • "For *percolating* coffee to perfection" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *percolating* coffee to perfection).

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

He plans to percolate the water for his morning coffee.

They hope to percolate the espresso perfectly for their customers.

She wants to percolate the tea slowly to extract all the flavors.

We decided to percolate the coffee beans at a higher temperature.

They agreed to percolate the coffee for a longer time for a stronger brew.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys percolating his morning coffee for a fresh start to the day.

They recommend percolating the coffee at a lower heat for a smoother taste.

I dislike the idea of percolating coffee without a filter.

She avoids percolating the coffee for too long to prevent bitterness.

Can you imagine yourself percolating coffee like a professional barista?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to percolate my own coffee for a customized flavor. I like percolating my own coffee for a rich aroma.

They started to percolate their own coffee instead of buying pre-packaged ones. They started percolating their own coffee instead of buying pre-packaged ones.

He began to percolate the coffee at a higher temperature for a bolder taste. He began percolating the coffee at a higher temperature for a bolder taste.