To Pontify vs Pontifying 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 pontify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to pontify about a subject I know nothing about.

Pontifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Pontifying can be seen as arrogant and condescending.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pontify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pontify is not always helpful in a conversation.

  To pontify is not always helpful in a conversation.

  • "*To pontify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not) + adjective (always helpful) + prepositional phrase (in a conversation).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to pontify on the topic of politics.

  He wants me to pontify on the topic of politics.

  • "Me *to pontify* on the topic of politics" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pontify* on the topic of politics).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a platform to pontify from.

  I need a platform to pontify from.

  • "*To pontify* from" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to pontify* from).

Pontifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pontifying is not appreciated in a casual conversation.

  Pontifying is not appreciated in a casual conversation.

  • "*Pontifying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not) + verb (appreciated) + prepositional phrase (in a casual conversation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy pontifying about my opinions.

  I enjoy pontifying about my opinions.

  • "*Pontifying* about my opinions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pontifying* about my opinions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for pontifying at length.

  He has a talent for pontifying at length.

  • "For *pontifying* at length" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *pontifying* at length).

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

• agree
• wish
• plan
• attempt
• pretend

Example

They agreed to pontify on the issue at the conference.

I wish to pontify on a topic I am passionate about.

We plan to pontify during the panel discussion.

She attempted to pontify on the complex subject.

He pretends to pontify to impress others.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• postpone

Example

She avoids pontifying in social gatherings.

They recommend against excessive pontifying in public speaking.

I am considering pontifying at the conference.

Do you mind me pontifying about this topic?

He postponed pontifying until he had more information.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to pontify about philosophical concepts. She likes pontifying about philosophical concepts.

We started to pontify about the current political situation. We started pontifying about the current political situation.

He began to pontify after gaining expertise in the field. He began pontifying after gaining expertise in the field.