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To Effloresce vs Efflorescing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To effloresce (Infinitive)

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

Example

The salt crystals need to effloresce in order to be properly analyzed.

The salt crystals need to effloresce in order to be properly analyzed.

Efflorescing (Gerund)

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

Example

Efflorescing can indicate the presence of moisture in building materials.

Efflorescing can indicate the presence of moisture in building materials.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To effloresce (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To effloresce is a natural process that occurs in certain materials.

    To effloresce is a natural process that occurs in certain materials.

    • "*To effloresce*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process that occurs in certain materials).
  • 2Object

    They want us to effloresce the samples for further examination.

    They want us to effloresce the samples for further examination.

    • "Us *to effloresce* the samples for further examination" is the object of the verb "want."
    • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to effloresce* the samples for further examination).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a controlled environment to effloresce the crystals.

    I need a controlled environment to effloresce the crystals.

    • "*To effloresce* the crystals" modifies the noun "environment."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a controlled environment *to effloresce* the crystals).

Efflorescing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Efflorescing is often seen as a white powdery residue on the surface of bricks.

    Efflorescing is often seen as a white powdery residue on the surface of bricks.

    • "*Efflorescing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (often seen as a white powdery residue on the surface of bricks).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy observing the process of efflorescing in different substances.

    I enjoy observing the process of efflorescing in different substances.

    • "Observing the process of *efflorescing* in different substances" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (observing the process of *efflorescing* in different substances).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a fascination with the phenomenon of efflorescing.

    He has a fascination with the phenomenon of efflorescing.

    • "With the phenomenon of *efflorescing*" is the object of the preposition "with."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fascination with the phenomenon of *efflorescing*).

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

She plans to effloresce the specimens under specific conditions.

She plans to effloresce the specimens under specific conditions.

They hope to effloresce enough samples for accurate analysis.

They hope to effloresce enough samples for accurate analysis.

He wants to effloresce the crystals in a controlled laboratory setting.

He wants to effloresce the crystals in a controlled laboratory setting.

We decided to effloresce the samples at a higher temperature.

We decided to effloresce the samples at a higher temperature.

They agreed to effloresce the material for further investigation.

They agreed to effloresce the material for further investigation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys efflorescing different types of salts in the lab.

She enjoys efflorescing different types of salts in the lab.

They recommend regular monitoring of efflorescing in construction materials.

They recommend regular monitoring of efflorescing in construction materials.

I dislike the sight of efflorescing on my basement walls.

I dislike the sight of efflorescing on my basement walls.

He avoids areas prone to efflorescing in his building projects.

He avoids areas prone to efflorescing in his building projects.

Can you imagine the process of efflorescing in slow motion?

Can you imagine the process of efflorescing in slow motion?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to effloresce different substances for research purposes. She likes efflorescing various materials in the lab.

She likes to effloresce different substances for research purposes.

We started to effloresce the samples under controlled conditions. We started efflorescing the specimens to study their properties.

We started to effloresce the samples under controlled conditions.

He began to effloresce the crystals for further examination. He began efflorescing the samples to analyze their composition.

He began to effloresce the crystals for further examination.

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