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To Sate vs Sating Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To sate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to sate my hunger with a delicious meal.

Sating (Gerund)

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

Example

Sating your cravings with healthy snacks can help you maintain a balanced diet.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sate (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To sate your cravings, try eating small portions throughout the day.

    To sate your cravings, try eating small portions throughout the day.

    • "*To sate* your cravings" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (try) + gerund phrase (eating small portions throughout the day).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to sate her desire for adventure.

    She wants me to sate her desire for adventure.

    • "Me *to sate* her desire for adventure" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sate* her desire for adventure).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a variety of food to sate my appetite.

    I need a variety of food to sate my appetite.

    • "*To sate* my appetite" modifies the noun "variety of food."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a variety of food *to sate* my appetite).

Sating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Sating your desire for adventure can lead to exciting experiences.

    Sating your desire for adventure can lead to exciting experiences.

    • "*Sating* your desire for adventure" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (exciting experiences).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy sating my taste buds with flavorful dishes.

    I enjoy sating my taste buds with flavorful dishes.

    • "*Sating* my taste buds with flavorful dishes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sating* my taste buds with flavorful dishes).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for sating her curiosity.

    She has a passion for sating her curiosity.

    • "For *sating* her curiosity" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *sating* her curiosity).

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

He plans to sate his sweet tooth with a piece of cake.

They hope to sate their wanderlust by traveling the world.

She wants to sate her curiosity by learning new things.

We decided to sate our thirst with a refreshing drink.

They agreed to sate their hunger at the buffet.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys sating his hunger with a satisfying meal.

They recommend sating your cravings with nutritious snacks.

I dislike the idea of sating my thirst with sugary drinks.

She avoids sating her appetite with unhealthy fast food.

Can you imagine sating your wanderlust by exploring different cultures?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I like to sate my sweet tooth with a decadent dessert. I like sating my sweet tooth with a decadent dessert.

They started to sate their cravings for adventure. They started sating their cravings for adventure.

She began to sate her hunger with healthy food choices. She began sating her hunger with healthy food choices.

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