To Rarefy vs Rarefying 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 rarefy (Infinitive)

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

Example

Scientists use a vacuum chamber to rarefy the air.

Rarefying (Gerund)

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

Example

Rarefying the gas allows it to expand.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rarefy (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rarefy the air is necessary for certain experiments.

  To rarefy the air is necessary for certain experiments.

  • "*To rarefy* the air" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (necessary for certain experiments).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to rarefy the gas in the container.

  He wants me to rarefy the gas in the container.

  • "Me *to rarefy* the gas in the container" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rarefy* the gas in the container).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a device to rarefy the liquid.

  We need a device to rarefy the liquid.

  • "*To rarefy* the liquid" modifies the noun "device."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a device *to rarefy* the liquid).

Rarefying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rarefying the liquid reduces its density.

  Rarefying the liquid reduces its density.

  • "*Rarefying* the liquid" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (reduces) + noun phrase (its density).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys rarefying the air in the lab.

  She enjoys rarefying the air in the lab.

  • "*Rarefying* the air in the lab" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*rarefying* the air in the lab).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have experience in rarefying gases.

  They have experience in rarefying gases.

  • "In *rarefying* gases" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (experience in *rarefying* gases).

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

• decide
• attempt
• struggle
• demand
• wish

Example

They decided to rarefy the substance to study its properties.

She attempted to rarefy the air inside the chamber.

We struggled to rarefy the gas at such high temperatures.

He demanded to rarefy the solution before conducting the experiment.

I wish to rarefy the material to increase its purity.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• postpone

Example

He avoids rarefying the liquid to prevent contamination.

We are considering rarefying the gas for better accuracy.

Experts recommend rarefying the air in confined spaces.

Do you mind rarefying the substance for me?

They postponed rarefying the sample until further notice.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to rarefy the gas in the chamber. She likes rarefying the gas in the chamber.

We began to rarefy the liquid slowly. We began rarefying the liquid slowly.

He continues to rarefy the substance for research purposes. He continues rarefying the substance for research purposes.