To Hew vs Hewing 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 hew (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to hew a piece of wood to make a sculpture.

Hewing (Gerund)

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

Example

Hewing is a skilled craft that requires precision.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hew (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hew is a traditional woodworking technique.

  To hew is a traditional woodworking technique.

  • "*To hew*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a traditional woodworking technique).
• 2. Object

  He asked me to hew the logs for the cabin.

  He asked me to hew the logs for the cabin.

  • "Me *to hew* the logs for the cabin" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to hew* the logs for the cabin).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a sharp axe to hew the tree trunk.

  They need a sharp axe to hew the tree trunk.

  • "*To hew* the tree trunk" modifies the noun "axe."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sharp axe *to hew* the tree trunk).

Hewing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hewing wood is physically demanding.

  Hewing wood is physically demanding.

  • "*Hewing* wood" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (physically demanding).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hewing logs to create rustic furniture.

  I enjoy hewing logs to create rustic furniture.

  • "*Hewing* logs to create rustic furniture" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hewing* logs to create rustic furniture).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for hewing stone.

  He has a talent for hewing stone.

  • "For *hewing* stone" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *hewing* stone).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to hew the stone for her sculpture tomorrow.

They hope to hew their own furniture from reclaimed wood.

He wants to hew a new fence for his backyard.

We decided to hew our own fireplace mantel.

They agreed to hew a wooden sign for the entrance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys hewing wooden bowls by hand.

They recommend practicing hewing techniques for better craftsmanship.

I dislike the noise and dust produced by hewing.

He avoids hewing large logs due to physical strain.

Can you imagine yourself hewing a log into a beautiful sculpture?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hew logs into intricate designs. She likes hewing logs into intricate designs.

We started to hew our own furniture pieces. We started hewing our own furniture pieces.

He began to hew wooden beams for the construction project. He began hewing wooden beams for the construction project.