When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To satisfice (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to satisfice" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to satisfice rather than spend too much time searching for the perfect option.
Satisficing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "satisficing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Satisficing is a practical approach to decision-making.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To satisfice (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To satisfice is a common decision-making strategy.
To satisfice is a common decision-making strategy.
- "*To satisfice*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common decision-making strategy).
- 2Object
She wants me to satisfice and choose the first available option.
She wants me to satisfice and choose the first available option.
- "Me *to satisfice* and choose the first available option" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to satisfice* and choose the first available option).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a quick solution to satisfice my customers.
I need a quick solution to satisfice my customers.
- "*To satisfice* my customers" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quick solution *to satisfice* my customers).
Satisficing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Satisficing allows for quicker decision-making.
Satisficing allows for quicker decision-making.
- "*Satisficing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (allows) + noun phrase (for quicker decision-making).
- 2Object
I enjoy satisficing and avoiding decision paralysis.
I enjoy satisficing and avoiding decision paralysis.
- "*Satisficing* and avoiding decision paralysis" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*satisficing* and avoiding decision paralysis).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a preference for satisficing in order to save time.
She has a preference for satisficing in order to save time.
- "For *satisficing* in order to save time" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *satisficing* in order to save time).
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 satisfice and make a decision based on limited information.
They hope to satisfice and find a suitable option quickly.
He wants to satisfice instead of spending hours researching.
We decided to satisfice and choose the most convenient option.
They agreed to satisfice and select the first available alternative.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys satisficing and making efficient decisions.
They recommend satisficing when faced with time constraints.
I dislike the idea of satisficing and settling for less.
He avoids satisficing and always seeks the best possible option.
Can you imagine yourself satisficing and being content with satisfactory outcomes?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to satisfice in order to save time. She likes satisficing as a decision-making strategy.
We started to satisfice and prioritize efficiency. We started satisficing to streamline our decision-making process.
He began to satisfice and focus on the most important factors. He began satisficing to simplify his decision-making approach.
