To Chew vs Chewing 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 chew (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to chew some gum to freshen my breath.

Chewing (Gerund)

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

Example

Chewing food thoroughly aids in digestion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To chew (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To chew is an important part of the digestive process.

  To chew is an important part of the digestive process.

  • "*To chew*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of the digestive process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to chew my food thoroughly.

  She wants me to chew my food thoroughly.

  • "Me *to chew* my food thoroughly" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to chew* my food thoroughly).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong jaw to chew tough meat.

  I need a strong jaw to chew tough meat.

  • "*To chew* tough meat" modifies the noun "jaw."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong jaw *to chew* tough meat).

Chewing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Chewing slowly can help prevent overeating.

  Chewing slowly can help prevent overeating.

  • "*Chewing* slowly" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can help) + noun phrase (prevent overeating).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy chewing gum to freshen my breath.

  I enjoy chewing gum to freshen my breath.

  • "*Chewing* gum" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*chewing* gum).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of chewing her nails.

  She has a habit of chewing her nails.

  • "Of *chewing* her nails" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *chewing* her nails).

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

• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• consider
• postpone

Example

They recommend chewing sugar-free gum after meals for dental health.

He avoids chewing hard candies to protect his teeth.

I don't mind chewing on ice cubes to cool down.

We are considering chewing nicotine gum to quit smoking.

They postponed chewing their food until after the meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• consider
• resist
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys chewing on ice cubes as a summer treat.

We are considering chewing sugar-free gum for better oral health.

She resisted chewing on pen caps to avoid damaging her teeth.

I avoid chewing gum in public places.

Can you imagine chewing on a raw onion?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to chew their food slowly. They like chewing their food slowly.

He started to chew sugar-free gum for fresh breath. He started chewing sugar-free gum for fresh breath.

We began to chew our food more thoroughly. We began chewing our food more thoroughly.