To Burrow vs Burrowing 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 burrow (Infinitive)

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

Example

The rabbit decided to burrow a hole in the ground for shelter.

Burrowing (Gerund)

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

Example

Burrowing is a common behavior among rodents.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To burrow (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To burrow requires strong claws.

  To burrow requires strong claws.

  • "*To burrow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strong claws).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to burrow a tunnel for the project.

  She wants me to burrow a tunnel for the project.

  • "Me *to burrow* a tunnel for the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to burrow* a tunnel for the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need soft soil to burrow into.

  I need soft soil to burrow into.

  • "*To burrow* into" modifies the noun "soft soil."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (soft soil *to burrow* into).

Burrowing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Burrowing provides protection from predators.

  Burrowing provides protection from predators.

  • "*Burrowing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (provides) + noun phrase (protection from predators).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy burrowing tunnels in the sand.

  I enjoy burrowing tunnels in the sand.

  • "*Burrowing* tunnels in the sand" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*burrowing* tunnels in the sand).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  The rabbits built a complex system of tunnels for burrowing.

  The rabbits built a complex system of tunnels for burrowing.

  • "For *burrowing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (The rabbits) + verb (built) + noun phrase (a complex system of tunnels for *burrowing*).

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

• decide
• plan
• hope
• want
• refuse

Example

The mole decided to burrow underground for safety.

They plan to burrow a network of tunnels.

He hopes to burrow a cozy burrow for hibernation.

We want to burrow deeper into the ground.

The fox refused to burrow with the other animals.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They avoid burrowing near areas with heavy human activity.

Experts recommend providing rodents with suitable materials for burrowing.

We are considering burrowing under the fence for escape.

I don't mind burrowing in the dirt to find food.

Can you imagine burrowing through solid rock?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to burrow in the garden. She likes burrowing in the garden.

They started to burrow their own burrows. They started burrowing their own burrows.

He began to burrow under the tree roots. He began burrowing under the tree roots.