To Singe vs Singeing 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 singe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to singe my hair for a new hairstyle.

Singeing (Gerund)

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

Example

Singeing is a technique used in cooking to remove the feathers from poultry.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To singe (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To singe is not recommended for hair styling.

  To singe is not recommended for hair styling.

  • "*To singe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + not + verb (recommended) + prepositional phrase (for hair styling).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to singe her dress.

  She wants me to singe her dress.

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

  I need a lighter to singe the edges of the fabric.

  I need a lighter to singe the edges of the fabric.

  • "*To singe* the edges of the fabric" modifies the noun "lighter."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lighter *to singe* the edges of the fabric).

Singeing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Singeing can be dangerous if not done properly.

  Singeing can be dangerous if not done properly.

  • "*Singeing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (dangerous) + conditional clause (if not done properly).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy singeing the surface of a dessert for a caramelized finish.

  I enjoy singeing the surface of a dessert for a caramelized finish.

  • "*Singeing* the surface of a dessert" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*singeing* the surface of a dessert).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for singeing fabric edges.

  She has a talent for singeing fabric edges.

  • "For *singeing* fabric edges" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *singeing* fabric edges).

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

• decide
• attempt
• wish
• determine
• pretend

Example

We decided to singe the ends of the rope to prevent fraying.

He attempted to singe the feathers for his craft project.

They wish to singe the paper for an antique look.

She determined to singe the edges of the paper for a rustic effect.

I pretend to singe my fingers on a candle flame for a magic trick.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• resist
• imagine

Example

He avoids singeing his eyebrows while lighting a candle.

They recommend singeing the chicken before marinating it.

I am considering singeing the edges of the fabric for a clean finish.

She resisted singeing the document to avoid damaging it.

Can you imagine singeing the surface of a steak to enhance its flavor?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to singe the ends of her hair for a trendy look. She likes singeing the ends of her hair for a trendy look.

We started to singe the edges of the fabric for a unique design. We started singeing the edges of the fabric for a unique design.

He began to singe the paper to create an aged effect. He began singeing the paper to create an aged effect.