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To Excommunicate vs Excommunicating 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 excommunicate (Infinitive)

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

Example

The church decided to excommunicate the member for his actions.

Excommunicating (Gerund)

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

Example

Excommunicating someone can have severe consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To excommunicate (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To excommunicate someone is a serious decision.

    To excommunicate someone is a serious decision.

    • "*To excommunicate* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a serious decision).
  • 2Object

    They want the council to excommunicate the offender.

    They want the council to excommunicate the offender.

    • "The council *to excommunicate* the offender" is the object of the verb "want."
    • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the council *to excommunicate* the offender).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a reason to excommunicate the person.

    He needs a reason to excommunicate the person.

    • "*To excommunicate* the person" modifies the noun "reason."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to excommunicate* the person).

Excommunicating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Excommunicating him was a difficult decision for the church.

    Excommunicating him was a difficult decision for the church.

    • "*Excommunicating* him" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a difficult decision for the church).
  • 2Object

    They regret excommunicating their former leader.

    They regret excommunicating their former leader.

    • "*Excommunicating* their former leader" is the object of the verb "regret."
    • Noun (They) + verb (regret) + gerund (*excommunicating* their former leader).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    I am considering the consequences of excommunicating him.

    I am considering the consequences of excommunicating him.

    • "Of *excommunicating* him" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (I) + verb (am considering) + noun phrase (the consequences of *excommunicating* him).

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 jury decided to excommunicate the accused member.

The community demanded the church to excommunicate the pastor.

She refused to excommunicate the politician despite public pressure.

They attempted to excommunicate the rebel leader from the organization.

He wished to excommunicate himself from the group.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

We should avoid excommunicating members without proper investigation.

Experts recommend careful consideration before excommunicating someone.

Do you mind excommunicating him from the group?

The committee is considering excommunicating the member for his actions.

The church denies excommunicating anyone based on personal beliefs.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She would like to excommunicate the troublemakers from the congregation. She would like excommunicating the troublemakers from the congregation.

They began to excommunicate members who violated the rules. They began excommunicating members who violated the rules.

He decided to continue excommunicating those who showed no remorse. He decided to continue excommunicating those who showed no remorse.

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