To Uninsulate vs Uninsulating 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 uninsulate (Infinitive)

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

Example

They decided to uninsulate their attic to save on energy costs.

Uninsulating (Gerund)

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

Example

Uninsulating the house can lead to higher heating bills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To uninsulate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To uninsulate the house would be a mistake.

  To uninsulate the house would be a mistake.

  • "*To uninsulate* the house" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a mistake).
• 2. Object

  We want the contractors to uninsulate the walls.

  We want the contractors to uninsulate the walls.

  • "The contractors *to uninsulate* the walls" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the contractors *to uninsulate* the walls).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a solution to uninsulate the pipes.

  He needs a solution to uninsulate the pipes.

  • "*To uninsulate* the pipes" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a solution *to uninsulate* the pipes).

Uninsulating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Uninsulating the attic is a complex task.

  Uninsulating the attic is a complex task.

  • "*Uninsulating* the attic" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex task).
• 2. Object

  We enjoy the process of uninsulating our home.

  We enjoy the process of uninsulating our home.

  • "The process of *uninsulating* our home" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (the process of *uninsulating* our home).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has experience in uninsulating old buildings.

  He has experience in uninsulating old buildings.

  • "In *uninsulating* old buildings" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *uninsulating* old buildings).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• wish

Example

They plan to uninsulate the garage next week.

She refuses to uninsulate the windows despite the cold weather.

He attempted to uninsulate the roof on his own.

The homeowner demanded the contractors to uninsulate the entire house.

I wish to uninsulate the basement before winter arrives.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• resist

Example

They avoid uninsulating the walls without proper safety equipment.

Experts recommend uninsulating the pipes in freezing temperatures.

She is considering uninsulating the basement for better insulation.

We decided to postpone uninsulating the attic until spring.

He resisted uninsulating the house due to concerns about mold.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

I would like to uninsulate the crawl space. I would like uninsulating the crawl space.

They began to uninsulate the walls of the old house. They began uninsulating the walls of the old house.

She stopped to uninsulate the attic halfway through. She stopped uninsulating the attic halfway through.