To Caterwaul vs Caterwauling 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 caterwaul (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to caterwaul in public because it's embarrassing.

Caterwauling (Gerund)

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

Example

Caterwauling can be heard from the alley every night.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To caterwaul (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To caterwaul is a form of communication for some animals.

  To caterwaul is a form of communication for some animals.

  • "*To caterwaul*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of communication for some animals).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to caterwaul at her birthday party.

  She wants me to caterwaul at her birthday party.

  • "Me *to caterwaul* at her birthday party" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to caterwaul* at her birthday party).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a soundproof room to caterwaul freely.

  I need a soundproof room to caterwaul freely.

  • "*To caterwaul* freely" modifies the noun "room."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a soundproof room *to caterwaul* freely).

Caterwauling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Caterwauling is often a sign of distress in cats.

  Caterwauling is often a sign of distress in cats.

  • "*Caterwauling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (often a sign of distress in cats).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy caterwauling along to my favorite songs.

  I enjoy caterwauling along to my favorite songs.

  • "*Caterwauling* along to my favorite songs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*caterwauling* along to my favorite songs).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a fear of caterwauling.

  They have a fear of caterwauling.

  • "Of *caterwauling*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *caterwauling*).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• choose
• learn

Example

They refuse to caterwaul during the performance.

He attempted to caterwaul but couldn't make a sound.

She pretends to caterwaul when she's alone.

We chose to caterwaul as our method of protest.

I learned to caterwaul from watching videos.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• imagine
• recommend
• consider
• mind

Example

He avoids caterwauling in public places.

Can you imagine yourself caterwauling in front of a crowd?

They recommend against excessive caterwauling.

I am considering caterwauling as a form of self-expression.

Do you mind me caterwauling while you work?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to caterwaul when she's feeling stressed. She likes caterwauling to release her emotions.

We began to caterwaul as soon as the music started. We began caterwauling as soon as the music started.

He continues to caterwaul even though no one listens. He continues caterwauling even though no one listens.