To Befall vs Befalling 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 befall (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope nothing bad to befall us during our trip.

Befalling (Gerund)

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

Example

Befalling such misfortune was unexpected.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To befall (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To befall such a tragedy is unimaginable.

  To befall such a tragedy is unimaginable.

  • "*To befall* such a tragedy" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unimaginable).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to befall good fortune.

  She wants me to befall good fortune.

  • "Me *to befall* good fortune" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to befall* good fortune).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a lucky charm to befall me.

  I need a lucky charm to befall me.

  • "*To befall* me" modifies the noun "lucky charm."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lucky charm *to befall* me).

Befalling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Befalling an accident is a possibility we must consider.

  Befalling an accident is a possibility we must consider.

  • "*Befalling* an accident" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a possibility we must consider).
• 2. Object

  I dread befalling the same fate.

  I dread befalling the same fate.

  • "*Befalling* the same fate" is the object of the verb "dread."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dread) + gerund (*befalling* the same fate).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of befalling failure.

  She has a fear of befalling failure.

  • "Of *befalling* failure" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *befalling* failure).

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
• wish
• desire
• plan
• expect

Example

We hope to befall good luck on this journey.

I wish to befall success upon you.

They desire to befall happiness in their lives.

She plans to befall no harm on anyone.

We expect nothing bad to befall us.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• fear
• dread
• imagine
• avoid
• consider

Example

I fear befalling into the wrong hands.

They dread befalling a terrible fate.

Can you imagine befalling such a disaster?

He avoids befalling into bad habits.

We should consider the risks of befalling illness.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to befall good fortune upon you. I would like befalling good fortune upon you.

Let's begin to befall positive change in the world. Let's begin befalling positive change in the world.

She continues to befall misfortune in her life. She continues befalling misfortune in her life.