When and How to Use Each Expression?

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

To feudalize (Infinitive)

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

Example

The king wanted to feudalize the country to consolidate his power.

Feudalizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Feudalizing the country was a strategic move by the king.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To feudalize (Infinitive)

1Subject
To feudalize is a complex process that involves restructuring the social and political systems.
To feudalize is a complex process that involves restructuring the social and political systems.
- "*To feudalize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process that involves restructuring the social and political systems).
2Object
The emperor ordered his advisors to feudalize the newly conquered territories.
The emperor ordered his advisors to feudalize the newly conquered territories.
- "His advisors *to feudalize* the newly conquered territories" is the object of the verb "ordered."
- Noun (The emperor) + verb (ordered) + noun phrase (his advisors *to feudalize* the newly conquered territories).
3Adjective Modifier
We need a strong leader to feudalize the fragmented regions.
We need a strong leader to feudalize the fragmented regions.
- "*To feudalize* the fragmented regions" modifies the noun "leader."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong leader *to feudalize* the fragmented regions).

Feudalizing (Gerund)

1Subject
Feudalizing the society required significant changes in the power structure.
Feudalizing the society required significant changes in the power structure.
- "*Feudalizing* the society" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (required) + noun phrase (significant changes in the power structure).
2Object
The emperor enjoyed feudalizing the newly acquired territories.
The emperor enjoyed feudalizing the newly acquired territories.
- "*Feudalizing* the newly acquired territories" is the object of the verb "enjoyed."
- Noun (The emperor) + verb (enjoyed) + gerund (*feudalizing* the newly acquired territories).
3Object of Preposition
The warlord was accused of feudalizing the economy for personal gain.
The warlord was accused of feudalizing the economy for personal gain.
- "*Feudalizing* the economy for personal gain" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (The warlord) + verb (was accused of) + noun phrase (*feudalizing* the economy for personal gain).

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 government plans to feudalize the agricultural sector for better resource allocation.

They decided to feudalize the economy to stimulate growth.

The ruler attempted to feudalize the society but faced strong opposition.

The nobles demanded the king to feudalize the land ownership system.

The council determined to feudalize the administrative structure of the kingdom.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

The experts recommend feudalizing the land distribution system for better agricultural productivity.

They avoid feudalizing the society to maintain equality and social harmony.

We are considering feudalizing the education system to improve quality and access.

The peasants resisted the landlords' attempts at feudalizing their rights and freedoms.

It is important to understand the implications of feudalizing the political structure.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

The king would like to feudalize the entire kingdom. The king would like feudalizing the entire kingdom.

The king would like to feudalize the entire kingdom.

They began to feudalize the provinces one by one. They began feudalizing the provinces one by one.

They began to feudalize the provinces one by one.

We must stop to feudalize the society against their will. We must stop feudalizing the society against their will.

We must stop to feudalize the society against their will.