To Empty vs Emptying 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 empty (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to empty the trash before it starts to smell.

Emptying (Gerund)

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

Example

Emptying the dishwasher is not my favorite task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To empty (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To empty the dishwasher is my daily chore.

  To empty the dishwasher is my daily chore.

  • "*To empty* the dishwasher" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my daily chore).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to empty the boxes.

  She wants me to empty the boxes.

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

  I need a large container to empty the water into.

  I need a large container to empty the water into.

  • "*To empty* the water into" modifies the noun "container."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a large container *to empty* the water into).

Emptying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Emptying the garbage is an important household chore.

  Emptying the garbage is an important household chore.

  • "*Emptying* the garbage" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important household chore).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy emptying my mind through meditation.

  I enjoy emptying my mind through meditation.

  • "*Emptying* my mind through meditation" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*emptying* my mind through meditation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of emptying the tank.

  She has a fear of emptying the tank.

  • "Of *emptying* the tank" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *emptying* the tank).

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
• hope
• want
• attempt
• refuse

Example

We decided to empty the closet and organize our clothes.

They hope to empty the room before the guests arrive.

He wants to empty the trash bin right away.

She attempted to empty the jar without breaking it.

They refused to empty the pool for maintenance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids emptying the trash by taking it out regularly.

They consider emptying the fridge to be a tedious task.

I recommend emptying your mind through journaling.

Do you mind emptying the dishwasher for me?

Can you imagine emptying the entire room in just one day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to empty her inbox every morning. She likes emptying her inbox every morning.

We started to empty the storage unit. We started emptying the storage unit.

He began to empty his pockets on the table. He began emptying his pockets on the table.