To Secularise vs Secularising 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 secularise (Infinitive)

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

Example

They plan to secularise the education system.

Secularising (Gerund)

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

Example

Secularising the society requires open-mindedness.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To secularise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To secularise is a controversial topic in politics.

  To secularise is a controversial topic in politics.

  • "*To secularise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a controversial topic in politics).
• 2. Object

  We want the government to secularise the laws.

  We want the government to secularise the laws.

  • "The government *to secularise* the laws" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the government *to secularise* the laws).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a committee to secularise the organization.

  He needs a committee to secularise the organization.

  • "*To secularise* the organization" modifies the noun "committee."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a committee *to secularise* the organization).

Secularising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Secularising is a gradual process that takes time.

  Secularising is a gradual process that takes time.

  • "*Secularising*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a gradual process that takes time).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys secularising her community events.

  She enjoys secularising her community events.

  • "*Secularising* her community events" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*secularising* her community events).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are advocates for secularising the government.

  They are advocates for secularising the government.

  • "For *secularising* the government" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (advocates for *secularising* the government).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• refuse
• attempt

Example

I hope to secularise the workplace by implementing inclusive policies.

She wants to secularise the public spaces to promote diversity.

They decided to secularise their family traditions and celebrations.

He refused to secularise his beliefs for societal pressure.

We attempted to secularise the educational curriculum.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• resist
• understand

Example

We are considering secularising the school curriculum.

Experts recommend secularising religious institutions for equality.

He avoids secularising cultural practices that are rooted in religion.

They resist secularising their traditional customs and rituals.

It is important to understand the implications of secularising society.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to secularise my personal beliefs. I like secularising different aspects of society.

She started to secularise her lifestyle choices. She started secularising her lifestyle choices.

They began to secularise the political discourse. They began secularising the political discourse.