When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To virilize (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to virilize" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The doctor may recommend hormone therapy to virilize the patient.
Virilizing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "virilizing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Virilizing the body can have various effects on an individual.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To virilize (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To virilize is a medical procedure used to develop male characteristics.
To virilize is a medical procedure used to develop male characteristics.
- "*To virilize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a medical procedure used to develop male characteristics).
- 2Object
She wants her son to virilize his appearance.
She wants her son to virilize his appearance.
- "Her son *to virilize* his appearance" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her son *to virilize* his appearance).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs medication to virilize his body.
He needs medication to virilize his body.
- "*To virilize* his body" modifies the noun "medication."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (medication *to virilize* his body).
Virilizing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Virilizing the body is a complex process.
Virilizing the body is a complex process.
- "*Virilizing* the body" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process).
- 2Object
They enjoy virilizing their appearance through different methods.
They enjoy virilizing their appearance through different methods.
- "*Virilizing* their appearance through different methods" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*virilizing* their appearance through different methods).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for virilizing the bodies of transgender individuals.
She has a passion for virilizing the bodies of transgender individuals.
- "For *virilizing* the bodies of transgender individuals" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *virilizing* the bodies of transgender individuals).
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
Example
The specialist may recommend hormone therapy to virilize the patient.
They offer surgical options to virilize transgender individuals.
We decided to virilize the patient using hormonal treatment.
The doctor plans to virilize the patient's appearance through medical procedures.
He attempted to virilize his voice by undergoing vocal training.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
We are considering virilizing the patient's body through hormone therapy.
The doctor recommends virilizing the body gradually to minimize side effects.
It is important to avoid self-medication when virilizing the body.
He resisted virilizing his appearance and embraced his natural self.
They understand the potential risks involved in virilizing the body.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He would like to virilize his physical features. He would like virilizing his physical features.
She started to virilize her body with hormone therapy. She started virilizing her body with hormone therapy.
They began to virilize their appearance through medical interventions. They began virilizing their appearance through medical interventions.
