When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To prescind (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to prescind" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to prescind from the irrelevant details and focus on the main issues.
Prescinding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "prescinding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Prescinding from irrelevant details can lead to more efficient problem-solving.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To prescind (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To prescind is a critical thinking skill.
To prescind is a critical thinking skill.
- "*To prescind*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a critical thinking skill).
- 2Object
He wants me to prescind from the unnecessary information.
He wants me to prescind from the unnecessary information.
- "Me *to prescind* from the unnecessary information" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to prescind* from the unnecessary information).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a clear mind to prescind from distractions.
I need a clear mind to prescind from distractions.
- "*To prescind* from distractions" modifies the noun "mind."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear mind *to prescind* from distractions).
Prescinding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Prescinding is an important step in critical thinking.
Prescinding is an important step in critical thinking.
- "*Prescinding*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in critical thinking).
- 2Object
I enjoy prescinding from unnecessary complexities.
I enjoy prescinding from unnecessary complexities.
- "*Prescinding* from unnecessary complexities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*prescinding* from unnecessary complexities).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for prescinding from biased opinions.
She has a talent for prescinding from biased opinions.
- "For *prescinding* from biased opinions" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *prescinding* from biased opinions).
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
Example
She plans to prescind from personal biases when making decisions.
They hope to prescind from emotional attachments in their analysis.
He wants to prescind from subjective opinions and rely on objective data.
We decided to prescind from external influences and trust our instincts.
They agreed to prescind from preconceived notions and approach the problem objectively.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys prescinding from irrelevant information during problem-solving.
They recommend prescinding from personal biases for impartial decision-making.
I dislike the idea of prescinding from critical details in the analysis.
He avoids prescinding from complex factors that may cloud judgment.
Can you imagine yourself prescinding from emotional attachments in your decision-making process?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to prescind from irrelevant data in her research. She likes prescinding from irrelevant data in her research.
We started to prescind from personal biases in our evaluations. We started prescinding from personal biases in our evaluations.
He began to prescind from subjective opinions in his analysis. He began prescinding from subjective opinions in his analysis.
