To Flap vs Flapping 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 flap (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to flap my wings and fly.

Flapping (Gerund)

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

Example

Flapping your wings is a natural instinct for birds.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To flap (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To flap is a common behavior in birds.

  To flap is a common behavior in birds.

  • "*To flap*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior in birds).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to flap my arms like a bird.

  She wants me to flap my arms like a bird.

  • "Me *to flap* my arms like a bird" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to flap* my arms like a bird).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong wind to flap my kite.

  I need a strong wind to flap my kite.

  • "*To flap* my kite" modifies the noun "wind."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong wind *to flap* my kite).

Flapping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Flapping is an essential part of bird flight.

  Flapping is an essential part of bird flight.

  • "*Flapping*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of bird flight).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy flapping my arms like a bird.

  I enjoy flapping my arms like a bird.

  • "*Flapping* my arms like a bird" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*flapping* my arms like a bird).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of flapping wings.

  She has a fear of flapping wings.

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

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
• attempt
• hope
• want
• refuse

Example

We decided to flap our wings and soar through the sky.

He attempted to flap his arms and fly like a bird.

They hope to flap their wings and reach great heights.

She wants to flap her wings and feel the freedom of flight.

They refused to flap their arms and pretend to be birds.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• resist

Example

She enjoys flapping her wings and soaring in the sky.

They recommend regular flapping exercises for stronger wings.

I avoid flapping my arms in crowded places.

Can you imagine yourself flapping your wings and flying?

He resists flapping his arms and pretending to be a bird.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to flap her wings and glide through the air. She likes flapping her wings and feeling the wind beneath them.

We started to flap our wings in unison. We started flapping our wings in unison.

He began to flap his arms vigorously. He began flapping his arms vigorously.