To Preamble vs Preambling 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 preamble (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to preamble before giving my presentation.

Preambling (Gerund)

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

Example

Preambling is a necessary step in the writing process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To preamble (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To preamble is important for setting the context of the discussion.

  To preamble is important for setting the context of the discussion.

  • "*To preamble*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for setting the context of the discussion).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to preamble before her performance.

  She wants me to preamble before her performance.

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

  I need some time to preamble about the topic.

  I need some time to preamble about the topic.

  • "*To preamble* about the topic" modifies the noun "time."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (some time *to preamble* about the topic).

Preambling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Preambling helps to organize thoughts before writing.

  Preambling helps to organize thoughts before writing.

  • "*Preambling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + infinitive phrase (to organize thoughts before writing).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy preambling before starting a new project.

  I enjoy preambling before starting a new project.

  • "*Preambling* before starting a new project" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*preambling* before starting a new project).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for preambling effectively.

  She has a talent for preambling effectively.

  • "For *preambling* effectively" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *preambling* effectively).

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 preamble about the event before introducing the speakers.

They hope to preamble with a brief overview of the project.

He wants to preamble by sharing his personal experience.

We decided to preamble with a short video.

They agreed to preamble by presenting some key facts.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys preambling in the morning to clear her mind.

They recommend preambling before writing any important document.

I dislike the idea of preambling for too long.

He avoids preambling by jumping straight into the task.

Can you imagine yourself preambling for hours before making a decision?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to preamble before starting a conversation. She likes preambling before starting a conversation.

We started to preamble every meeting with a recap of the previous discussion. We started preambling every meeting with a recap of the previous discussion.

He began to preamble by stating the purpose of the project. He began preambling by stating the purpose of the project.