To Unravel vs Unravelling 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 unravel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance.

Unravelling (Gerund)

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

Example

Unravelling the mystery requires patience and persistence.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To unravel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To unravel the truth is our main goal.

  To unravel the truth is our main goal.

  • "*To unravel* the truth" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our main goal).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to unravel the secret code.

  She wants me to unravel the secret code.

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

  We need a key to unravel the mystery.

  We need a key to unravel the mystery.

  • "*To unravel* the mystery" modifies the noun "key."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a key *to unravel* the mystery).

Unravelling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Unravelling the secret is a challenging task.

  Unravelling the secret is a challenging task.

  • "*Unravelling* the secret" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy unravelling the intricacies of a problem.

  I enjoy unravelling the intricacies of a problem.

  • "*Unravelling* the intricacies of a problem" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*unravelling* the intricacies of a problem).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for unravelling complicated situations.

  He has a talent for unravelling complicated situations.

  • "For *unravelling* complicated situations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *unravelling* complicated situations).

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
• decide
• choose
• manage
• determine

Example

They hope to unravel the truth soon.

I decided to unravel the enigma myself.

He chose to unravel the puzzle on his own.

We managed to unravel the complicated case.

She determined to unravel the hidden meaning.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys unravelling mysteries in her free time.

They recommend unravelling the problem step by step.

I am considering unravelling the truth behind the rumors.

He avoids unravelling complicated issues.

Can you imagine yourself unravelling the mystery?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to unravel the hidden message. I would like unravelling the puzzle.

We started to unravel the tangled plot. We started unravelling the complex story.

He began to unravel the web of lies. He began unravelling the conspiracy.