To Venerate vs Venerating 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 venerate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to venerate the elders in our community.

Venerating (Gerund)

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

Example

Venerating the ancestors is a traditional practice in many cultures.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To venerate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To venerate is an important aspect of many religious practices.

  To venerate is an important aspect of many religious practices.

  • "*To venerate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important aspect of many religious practices).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to venerate the historical artifacts.

  She wants me to venerate the historical artifacts.

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

  I need a place to venerate the memory of my ancestors.

  I need a place to venerate the memory of my ancestors.

  • "*To venerate* the memory of my ancestors" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a place *to venerate* the memory of my ancestors).

Venerating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Venerating the gods was a common ritual in ancient civilizations.

  Venerating the gods was a common ritual in ancient civilizations.

  • "*Venerating* the gods" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a common ritual in ancient civilizations).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy venerating the deities at the temple.

  I enjoy venerating the deities at the temple.

  • "*Venerating* the deities at the temple" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*venerating* the deities at the temple).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a deep reverence for venerating the ancestors.

  She has a deep reverence for venerating the ancestors.

  • "For *venerating* the ancestors" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a deep reverence for *venerating* the ancestors).

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
• plan
• decide
• want
• attempt

Example

They hope to venerate the sacred relics during their pilgrimage.

She plans to venerate the saints on her trip to Rome.

We decided to venerate the ancient idols in the temple.

He wants to venerate the national heroes on Independence Day.

They attempted to venerate the deity by offering prayers and rituals.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• resist

Example

She enjoys venerating the idols during religious ceremonies.

They recommend regularly venerating the spirits for spiritual growth.

I consider venerating nature as a form of gratitude.

He avoids venerating false idols.

She resists venerating authority figures.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to venerate the ancestors. She likes venerating the ancestors.

He began to venerate the divine beings. He began venerating the divine beings.

They continue to venerate the sacred texts. They continue venerating the sacred texts.