To Belch vs Belching 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 belch (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to belch at the dinner table.

Belching (Gerund)

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

Example

Belching after a meal can be embarrassing in certain situations.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To belch (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To belch is considered impolite in many cultures.

  To belch is considered impolite in many cultures.

  • "*To belch*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered impolite in many cultures).
• 2. Object

  He asked me to belch loudly for a comedy skit.

  He asked me to belch loudly for a comedy skit.

  • "Me *to belch* loudly for a comedy skit" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to belch* loudly for a comedy skit).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a remedy to stop belching after meals.

  They need a remedy to stop belching after meals.

  • "*To stop belching* after meals" modifies the noun "remedy."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a remedy *to stop belching* after meals).

Belching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Belching is a natural bodily function.

  Belching is a natural bodily function.

  • "*Belching*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural bodily function).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand his constant belching during meals.

  I can't stand his constant belching during meals.

  • "His constant *belching* during meals" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + possessive pronoun (his) + adjective (*constant*) + gerund (*belching* during meals).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has tried various remedies for excessive belching.

  She has tried various remedies for excessive belching.

  • "For excessive *belching*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has tried) + adjective phrase (various) + noun phrase (remedies) + preposition (for) + adjective (*excessive*) + gerund (*belching*).

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

She plans to belch during the contest to entertain the audience.

They hope to belch in unison as a funny performance.

He wants to belch loudly for attention.

We decided to belch as part of the comedy routine.

They agreed to belch at the same time for comedic effect.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys belching loudly to make people laugh.

The doctor recommends avoiding carbonated drinks to reduce belching.

I dislike the sound of loud belching in public.

She avoids belching during important meetings.

Can you imagine someone belching in a fancy restaurant?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to belch after a satisfying meal. They like belching after a satisfying meal.

He started to belch uncontrollably after drinking soda. He started belching uncontrollably after drinking soda.

She began to belch loudly due to indigestion. She began belching loudly due to indigestion.