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
The heat causes the air to rarefy and become less dense.
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 air reduces its pressure.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To rarefy (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To rarefy the gas, heat is applied.
To rarefy the gas, heat is applied.
- "*To rarefy* the gas" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + past participle (applied).
- 2Object
She wants me to rarefy the solution.
She wants me to rarefy the solution.
- "Me *to rarefy* the solution" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rarefy* the solution).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a special device to rarefy the air.
I need a special device to rarefy the air.
- "*To rarefy* the air" modifies the noun "device."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a special device *to rarefy* the air).
Rarefying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Rarefying the liquid decreases its boiling point.
Rarefying the liquid decreases its boiling point.
- "*Rarefying* the liquid" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (decreases) + noun phrase (its boiling point).
- 2Object
I enjoy rarefying gases in the lab.
I enjoy rarefying gases in the lab.
- "*Rarefying* gases in the lab" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rarefying* gases in the lab).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for rarefying substances.
She has a talent for rarefying substances.
- "For *rarefying* substances" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *rarefying* substances).
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 rarefy the substance at high temperature.
They hope to rarefy the liquid for further analysis.
He wants to rarefy the material to achieve a specific result.
We decided to rarefy the sample before testing.
They agreed to rarefy the mixture together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys rarefying liquids in the laboratory.
They recommend rarefying the solution for better results.
I dislike the process of rarefying gases.
He avoids rarefying materials that are toxic.
Can you imagine yourself rarefying the atmosphere?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to rarefy substances at low temperatures. She likes rarefying substances at low temperatures.
We started to rarefy the gas mixture. We started rarefying the gas mixture.
He began to rarefy the solution slowly. He began rarefying the solution slowly.
