To Undarken vs Undarkening 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 undarken (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to undarken the room by opening the curtains.

Undarkening (Gerund)

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

Example

Undarkening the room will make it more inviting.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To undarken (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To undarken the room is my responsibility.

  To undarken the room is my responsibility.

  • "*To undarken* the room" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my responsibility).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to undarken the room.

  She wants me to undarken the room.

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

  I need a brighter light to undarken the room.

  I need a brighter light to undarken the room.

  • "*To undarken* the room" modifies the noun "light."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a brighter light *to undarken* the room).

Undarkening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Undarkening the room is essential for better visibility.

  Undarkening the room is essential for better visibility.

  • "*Undarkening* the room" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for better visibility).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy undarkening the room with natural light.

  I enjoy undarkening the room with natural light.

  • "*Undarkening* the room with natural light" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*undarkening* the room with natural light).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for undarkening the room.

  She has a passion for undarkening the room.

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

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to undarken the room before the guests arrive.

They hope to undarken the room with new blinds.

He wants to undarken the room for a better ambiance.

We decided to undarken the room by painting the walls white.

They agreed to undarken the room by removing heavy curtains.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys undarkening the room with dimmer switches.

They recommend undarkening the room for a more relaxing atmosphere.

I dislike the idea of undarkening the room with harsh lighting.

He avoids undarkening the room too much, as it can be tiring for the eyes.

Can you imagine yourself undarkening the room with colorful lamps?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to undarken the room with sheer curtains. She likes undarkening the room with sheer curtains.

We started to undarken the room by installing brighter bulbs. We started undarkening the room by installing brighter bulbs.

He began to undarken the room by rearranging the furniture. He began undarkening the room by rearranging the furniture.