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To Fatten vs Fattening Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To fatten (Infinitive)

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

Example

Farmers often use corn to fatten up their livestock.

Fattening (Gerund)

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

Example

Fattening food can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fatten (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To fatten animals quickly, farmers feed them high-calorie diets.

    To fatten animals quickly, farmers feed them high-calorie diets.

    • "*To fatten* animals quickly" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (feed) + noun phrase (them high-calorie diets).
  • 2Object

    She wants her chickens to fatten before selling them.

    She wants her chickens to fatten before selling them.

    • "Her chickens *to fatten* before selling them" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her chickens *to fatten* before selling them).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a feed to fatten my pigs.

    I need a feed to fatten my pigs.

    • "*To fatten* my pigs" modifies the noun "feed."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a feed *to fatten* my pigs).

Fattening (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Fattening diets are not recommended for long-term health.

    Fattening diets are not recommended for long-term health.

    • "*Fattening* diets" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (are) + noun phrase (not recommended for long-term health).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy fattening up my plants with organic fertilizers.

    I enjoy fattening up my plants with organic fertilizers.

    • "*Fattening* up my plants with organic fertilizers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fattening* up my plants with organic fertilizers).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a weakness for fattening desserts.

    He has a weakness for fattening desserts.

    • "For *fattening* desserts" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a weakness for *fattening* desserts).

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

Example

They plan to fatten the cows with a special diet.

He hopes to fatten the turkeys before Thanksgiving.

She wants to fatten the ducks for a festive meal.

We decided to fatten the geese for the upcoming market.

They agreed to fatten the lambs with nutritious food.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys fattening her favorite dishes with extra cheese.

Experts recommend avoiding fattening snacks for a healthier lifestyle.

I dislike the idea of fattening up on sugary treats.

He avoids fattening foods to maintain his weight.

Can you imagine yourself fattening up on fried foods every day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to fatten their livestock with a balanced diet. They like fattening their livestock with a balanced diet.

We started to fatten up our chickens for the market. We started fattening up our chickens for the market.

He began to fatten his pigs for the competition. He began fattening his pigs for the competition.

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