When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To howl (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to howl" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The wolf wants to howl at the moon.
Howling (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "howling" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Howling can be a sign of loneliness for dogs.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To howl (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To howl is a common behavior for wolves.
To howl is a common behavior for wolves.
- "*To howl*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior for wolves).
- 2Object
He heard the dog howl in the distance.
He heard the dog howl in the distance.
- "The dog *howl* in the distance" is the object of the verb "heard."
- Noun (He) + verb (heard) + noun phrase (the dog *howl* in the distance).
- 3Adverb Modifier
She stayed up late to howl at the moon.
She stayed up late to howl at the moon.
- "Up late *to howl* at the moon" modifies the verb "stayed."
- Noun (She) + verb (stayed) + adverb phrase (up late *to howl* at the moon).
Howling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Howling is often heard during a full moon.
Howling is often heard during a full moon.
- "*Howling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (often heard during a full moon).
- 2Object
They enjoy the sound of howling wolves.
They enjoy the sound of howling wolves.
- "The sound of *howling* wolves" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + noun phrase (the sound of *howling* wolves).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of howling winds.
She has a fear of howling winds.
- "Of *howling* winds" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *howling* winds).
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 want to howl with the pack.
I will try to howl like a wolf.
He refused to howl during the performance.
We managed to howl loudly enough to be heard.
She wishes to howl at the moon every night.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He avoids howling dogs in the neighborhood.
She enjoys howling at the moon on clear nights.
They are considering howling as part of the ritual.
Experts recommend howling therapy for stress relief.
Can you imagine yourself howling with the wolves?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to howl at the top of his lungs. He likes howling at the top of his lungs.
She began to howl after hearing the sirens. She began howling after hearing the sirens.
They continue to howl even when no one is listening. They continue howling even when no one is listening.
