To Fan vs Fanning 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 fan (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to fan myself to cool down.

Fanning (Gerund)

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

Example

Fanning is an effective way to circulate air.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fan (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fan yourself is a common way to stay cool in hot weather.

  To fan yourself is a common way to stay cool in hot weather.

  • "*To fan* yourself" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common way to stay cool in hot weather).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to fan her with a hand-held fan.

  She wants me to fan her with a hand-held fan.

  • "Me *to fan* her with a hand-held fan" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to fan* her with a hand-held fan).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a fan to fan myself.

  I need a fan to fan myself.

  • "*To fan* myself" modifies the noun "fan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fan *to fan* myself).

Fanning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Fanning creates a breeze that helps cool you down.

  Fanning creates a breeze that helps cool you down.

  • "*Fanning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (a breeze that helps cool you down).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fanning myself with a handheld fan.

  I enjoy fanning myself with a handheld fan.

  • "*Fanning* myself with a handheld fan" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fanning* myself with a handheld fan).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for fanning herself in front of a fan.

  She has a passion for fanning herself in front of a fan.

  • "For *fanning* herself in front of a fan" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *fanning* herself in front of a fan).

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

• hope
• decide
• want
• agree
• choose

Example

They hope to fan themselves with palm leaves at the beach.

We decided to fan ourselves with paper fans at the outdoor concert.

He wants to fan himself with an electric fan.

They agreed to fan themselves with handheld fans during the heatwave.

She chose to fan herself with a bamboo fan.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• resist

Example

She enjoys fanning herself on a hot summer day.

They recommend regular fanning for better air circulation.

I avoid fanning myself too vigorously and causing injury.

Can you imagine yourself fanning celebrities at a red carpet event?

He resisted fanning himself despite the heat.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to fan herself with a hand-held fan. She likes fanning herself with a hand-held fan.

We started to fan ourselves when the temperature rose. We started fanning ourselves when the temperature rose.

He began to fan himself after feeling overheated. He began fanning himself after feeling overheated.