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To Blather vs Blathering Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To blather (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to blather about my day.

Blathering (Gerund)

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

Example

Blathering is a waste of time.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To blather (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To blather is his favorite pastime.

    To blather is his favorite pastime.

    • "*To blather*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his favorite pastime).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to blather about the meeting.

    She wants me to blather about the meeting.

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

    He needs a platform to blather on.

    He needs a platform to blather on.

    • "*To blather* on" modifies the noun "platform."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a platform *to blather* on).

Blathering (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Blathering annoys me.

    Blathering annoys me.

    • "*Blathering*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (annoys) + noun phrase (me).
  • 2Object

    They enjoy blathering about politics.

    They enjoy blathering about politics.

    • "*Blathering* about politics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*blathering* about politics).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a talent for blathering endlessly.

    He has a talent for blathering endlessly.

    • "For *blathering* endlessly" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *blathering* endlessly).

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

Example

They plan to blather about their vacation.

I hope to blather with my friends later.

She wants to blather about her new project.

We decided to blather at the coffee shop.

They agreed to blather about their favorite books.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys blathering about random topics.

They recommend blathering as a form of self-expression.

He avoids blathering in public settings.

Can you imagine yourself blathering on stage?

We consider blathering to be therapeutic.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to blather about her dreams. She likes blathering about her dreams.

We started to blather during our lunch breaks. We started blathering during our lunch breaks.

He began to blather about his favorite movies. He began blathering about his favorite movies.

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