To Portend vs Portending 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 portend (Infinitive)

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

Example

The dark clouds portend a storm.

Portending (Gerund)

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

Example

Portending doom, the black cat crossed their path.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To portend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To portend is a sign of trouble ahead.

  To portend is a sign of trouble ahead.

  • "*To portend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of trouble ahead).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to portend the future.

  She wants me to portend the future.

  • "Me *to portend* the future" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to portend* the future).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a crystal ball to portend events.

  I need a crystal ball to portend events.

  • "*To portend* events" modifies the noun "crystal ball."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a crystal ball *to portend* events).

Portending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Portending bad luck, breaking a mirror is considered unlucky.

  Portending bad luck, breaking a mirror is considered unlucky.

  • "*Portending* bad luck" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (bad luck).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy portending the future through tarot cards.

  I enjoy portending the future through tarot cards.

  • "*Portending* the future through tarot cards" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*portending* the future through tarot cards).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for portending disasters.

  She has a knack for portending disasters.

  • "For *portending* disasters" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *portending* disasters).

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

• predict
• foresee
• expect
• anticipate
• sense

Example

The fortune teller predicts to portend a significant change.

We foresee to portend potential dangers.

They expect to portend a prosperous future.

He anticipates to portend a positive outcome.

We sense to portend an imminent disaster.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine
• recommend

Example

He avoids portending any negative outcomes.

They consider portending the future as a special skill.

I don't mind portending what may come.

Can you imagine yourself portending events?

Experts recommend portending potential risks.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to portend the future. She likes portending the future.

We started to portend doom and gloom. We started portending doom and gloom.

He began to portend disaster. He began portending disaster.