To Beware vs Beware 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 beware (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to beware of potential dangers.

Beware (Gerund)

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

Example

Beware of the dog.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To beware (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To beware is important when walking alone at night.

  To beware is important when walking alone at night.

  • "*To beware*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to beware of strangers.

  She wants me to beware of strangers.

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

  I need a reminder to beware of scams.

  I need a reminder to beware of scams.

  • "*To beware* of scams" modifies the noun "reminder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reminder *to beware* of scams).

Beware (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Beware of the icy roads.

  Beware of the icy roads.

  • "*Beware*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + preposition (of) + noun phrase (the icy roads).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate your warning to beware of the hidden fees.

  I appreciate your warning to beware of the hidden fees.

  • "Your warning to *beware* of the hidden fees" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + possessive pronoun (your) + noun (warning) + infinitive phrase (to beware* of the hidden fees).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of beware of heights.

  He has a fear of beware of heights.

  • "Of *beware* of heights" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *beware* of heights).

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 beware of potential risks in his business venture.

They hope to beware of any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

She wants to beware of the possible consequences of her actions.

We decided to beware of online scams and protect our personal information.

They agreed to beware of the potential dangers and take necessary precautions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys beware of the breathtaking views from the top of the mountain.

They recommend beware of potential scams when shopping online.

I dislike the idea of beware of dangerous animals in the wilderness.

He avoids beware of crowded places during the pandemic.

Can you imagine yourself beware of supernatural creatures in the dark forest?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to beware of her surroundings. She likes beware of unexpected surprises.

We started to beware of potential risks in our business. We started beware of suspicious activities in our neighborhood.

He began to beware of online scams. He began beware of hidden fees.