To Amble vs Ambling 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 amble (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to amble through the park and enjoy the scenery.

Ambling (Gerund)

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

Example

Ambling allows you to take in the sights at your own pace.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To amble (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To amble is a relaxing way to explore the neighborhood.

  To amble is a relaxing way to explore the neighborhood.

  • "*To amble*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a relaxing way to explore the neighborhood).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to amble with her in the garden.

  She wants me to amble with her in the garden.

  • "Me *to amble* with her in the garden" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to amble* with her in the garden).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need comfortable shoes to amble around the city.

  I need comfortable shoes to amble around the city.

  • "*To amble* around the city" modifies the noun "shoes."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (comfortable shoes *to amble* around the city).

Ambling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ambling is a popular activity among tourists.

  Ambling is a popular activity among tourists.

  • "*Ambling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular activity among tourists).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ambling along the riverbank.

  I enjoy ambling along the riverbank.

  • "*Ambling* along the riverbank" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ambling* along the riverbank).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for ambling long distances.

  She has a talent for ambling long distances.

  • "For *ambling* long distances" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *ambling* long distances).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to amble along the beach at sunset.

They hope to amble through the forest on their hike.

She wants to amble in the park and enjoy nature.

We decided to amble through the old town streets.

They agreed to amble together in the botanical garden.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys ambling in the park on weekends.

They recommend regular ambling for relaxation and stress relief.

I dislike the idea of ambling in crowded areas.

She avoids ambling during rush hour.

Can you imagine yourself ambling through the countryside?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to amble along the beach. She likes ambling along the beach.

We started to amble through the park. We started ambling through the park.

He began to amble in the gardens. He began ambling in the gardens.