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To Idle vs Idling 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 idle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to idle away my time.

Idling (Gerund)

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

Example

Idling is a waste of time.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To idle (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To idle is not productive.

    To idle is not productive.

    • "*To idle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not productive).
  • 2Object

    She asked him to idle less.

    She asked him to idle less.

    • "Him *to idle* less" is the object of the verb "asked."
    • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to idle* less).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a solution to idle workers.

    We need a solution to idle workers.

    • "*To idle* workers" modifies the noun "solution."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to idle* workers).

Idling (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Idling leads to boredom.

    Idling leads to boredom.

    • "*Idling*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (leads) + noun (boredom).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy idling in the hammock.

    I enjoy idling in the hammock.

    • "*Idling* in the hammock" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*idling* in the hammock).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a habit of idling around.

    She has a habit of idling around.

    • "Of *idling* around" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *idling* around).

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

He plans to idle at the beach all day tomorrow.

They hope to idle away their time during the vacation.

She wants to idle by the pool this weekend.

We decided to idle for a while before starting the project.

They agreed to idle in the park together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys idling in his backyard on sunny days.

They recommend avoiding idling for too long.

I dislike the idea of idling when there's work to be done.

She avoids idling in unproductive activities.

Can you imagine yourself idling for hours without any purpose?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to idle in the park. They like idling in the park.

He started to idle away his time. He started idling away his time.

She began to idle in front of the TV. She began idling in front of the TV.

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