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To Segregate vs Segregating 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 segregate (Infinitive)

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

Example

We need to segregate the recyclable materials from the non-recyclable ones.

Segregating (Gerund)

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

Example

Segregating waste helps in reducing pollution and conserving resources.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To segregate (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To segregate is an important step in waste management.

    To segregate is an important step in waste management.

    • "*To segregate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in waste management).
  • 2Object

    She asked him to segregate the items into different categories.

    She asked him to segregate the items into different categories.

    • "Him *to segregate* the items into different categories" is the object of the verb "asked."
    • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to segregate* the items into different categories).
  • 3Adverbial Modifier

    They set up separate bins to segregate the waste effectively.

    They set up separate bins to segregate the waste effectively.

    • "*To segregate* the waste effectively" modifies the noun "bins."
    • Noun (They) + verb (set up) + adjective phrase (separate) + noun phrase (bins *to segregate* the waste effectively).

Segregating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Segregating waste is a responsible action.

    Segregating waste is a responsible action.

    • "*Segregating* waste" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a responsible action).
  • 2Object

    He enjoys segregating the recyclable materials.

    He enjoys segregating the recyclable materials.

    • "*Segregating* the recyclable materials" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
    • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*segregating* the recyclable materials).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    They are discussing the benefits of segregating waste.

    They are discussing the benefits of segregating waste.

    • "Of *segregating* waste" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are discussing) + noun phrase (the benefits of *segregating* waste).

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

We plan to segregate the documents based on their importance.

He decided to segregate his clothes by color.

They refused to segregate the students according to their abilities.

She attempted to segregate the books into different genres.

I choose to segregate the vegetables from the fruits.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

Experts recommend segregating organic waste for composting.

She avoids segregating hazardous materials together.

I don't mind segregating the recyclables from the garbage.

They are considering segregating paper from plastic.

Can you imagine the impact of segregating waste on the environment?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I would like to segregate the items into separate containers. I would like segregating the items into separate containers.

We started to segregate our waste for recycling purposes. We started segregating our waste for recycling purposes.

He began to segregate the clothes by fabric type. He began segregating the clothes by fabric type.

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