To Rationalize vs Rationalizing 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 rationalize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to rationalize my decision before moving forward.

Rationalizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Rationalizing helps us make informed choices.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rationalize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rationalize is an important step in problem-solving.

  To rationalize is an important step in problem-solving.

  • "*To rationalize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in problem-solving).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rationalize the budget cuts.

  She wants me to rationalize the budget cuts.

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

  We need a logical approach to rationalize our actions.

  We need a logical approach to rationalize our actions.

  • "*To rationalize* our actions" modifies the noun "approach."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a logical approach *to rationalize* our actions).

Rationalizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rationalizing is a key aspect of critical thinking.

  Rationalizing is a key aspect of critical thinking.

  • "*Rationalizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key aspect of critical thinking).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy rationalizing complex problems.

  I enjoy rationalizing complex problems.

  • "*Rationalizing* complex problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rationalizing* complex problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for rationalizing difficult situations.

  She has a talent for rationalizing difficult situations.

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

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

They plan to rationalize their expenses for the upcoming year.

I hope to rationalize the decision-making process.

He wants to rationalize the company's operations.

We decided to rationalize the workflow for better efficiency.

They agreed to rationalize the project timeline.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• postpone
• understand

Example

They consider rationalizing their expenses for better financial management.

Experts recommend rationalizing your thoughts before making a decision.

He avoids rationalizing his actions and behaves impulsively.

Let's postpone rationalizing the project until we have more information.

It is important to understand the reasons behind rationalizing certain behaviors.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to rationalize the company's budget. I would like rationalizing the company's budget.

We started to rationalize our decision-making process. We started rationalizing our decision-making process.

He began to rationalize his actions for self-improvement. He began rationalizing his actions for self-improvement.