To Bustle vs Bustling 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 bustle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to bustle around and get everything ready for the party.

Bustling (Gerund)

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

Example

Bustling around is a sign of productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bustle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To bustle is a common characteristic of busy cities.

  To bustle is a common characteristic of busy cities.

  • "*To bustle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common characteristic of busy cities).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to bustle around and clean the house.

  She wants me to bustle around and clean the house.

  • "Me *to bustle* around and clean the house" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bustle* around and clean the house).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a bustling city to live in.

  I need a bustling city to live in.

  • "A bustling city *to live* in" modifies the noun "city."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bustling city *to live* in).

Bustling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Bustling around keeps me energized throughout the day.

  Bustling around keeps me energized throughout the day.

  • "*Bustling* around" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (keeps) + noun phrase (me energized throughout the day).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy bustling around and getting things done.

  I enjoy bustling around and getting things done.

  • "*Bustling* around and getting things done" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bustling* around and getting things done).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for bustling around and organizing events.

  She has a passion for bustling around and organizing events.

  • "For *bustling* around and organizing events" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *bustling* around and organizing events).

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 bustle around and organize the event.

They hope to bustle around and decorate the venue.

He wants to bustle around and prepare the food.

We decided to bustle around and set up the equipment.

They agreed to bustle around and distribute the invitations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys bustling around and interacting with people.

They recommend bustling around for increased productivity.

I dislike the idea of bustling around in a chaotic environment.

He avoids bustling around during peak hours.

Can you imagine yourself bustling around and managing a busy schedule?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to bustle around and take care of others. She likes bustling around and taking care of others.

We started to bustle around and prepare for the event. We started bustling around and preparing for the event.

He began to bustle around and organize his workspace. He began bustling around and organizing his workspace.