To Beckon vs Beckoning 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 beckon (Infinitive)

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

Example

The mysterious light in the distance seemed to beckon us closer.

Beckoning (Gerund)

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

Example

The flickering light in the window was beckoning us to come inside.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To beckon (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To beckon is a gesture of invitation or attraction.

  To beckon is a gesture of invitation or attraction.

  • "*To beckon*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a gesture of invitation or attraction).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to beckon her when it's time to leave.

  She wants me to beckon her when it's time to leave.

  • "Me *to beckon* her when it's time to leave" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to beckon* her when it's time to leave).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a bright light to beckon customers to his store.

  He needs a bright light to beckon customers to his store.

  • "*To beckon* customers to his store" modifies the noun "bright light."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a bright light *to beckon* customers to his store).

Beckoning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Beckoning is a way to signal or call someone towards you.

  Beckoning is a way to signal or call someone towards you.

  • "*Beckoning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a way to signal or call someone towards you).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy beckoning people to join me on adventures.

  I enjoy beckoning people to join me on adventures.

  • "*Beckoning* people to join me on adventures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*beckoning* people to join me on adventures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for beckoning others with her charm.

  She has a talent for beckoning others with her charm.

  • "For *beckoning* others with her charm" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *beckoning* others with her charm).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• choose
• determine

Example

I hope to beckon good luck by lighting a candle.

They want to beckon more customers with attractive displays.

She decided to beckon him from across the room.

We chose to beckon the waiter for the bill.

He determined to beckon for help when he was stranded.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• suggest
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys beckoning birds with bird feeders in his backyard.

They suggest beckoning guests with a warm smile at the entrance.

I am considering beckoning the taxi to stop.

She avoids beckoning strangers in unfamiliar places.

Can you imagine beckoning someone from across the room?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to beckon to her friends from the balcony. She likes beckoning to her friends from the balcony.

We started to beckon for a taxi. We started beckoning for a taxi.

He began to beckon the waiter for the bill. He began beckoning the waiter for the bill.