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To Iron vs Ironing 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 iron (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to iron my clothes before going to work.

Ironing (Gerund)

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

Example

Ironing can be quite tedious if you have a lot of clothes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To iron (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To iron is a necessary household chore.

    To iron is a necessary household chore.

    • "*To iron*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a necessary household chore).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to iron her dress.

    She wants me to iron her dress.

    • "Me *to iron* her dress" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to iron* her dress).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a good iron to iron my clothes properly.

    I need a good iron to iron my clothes properly.

    • "*To iron* my clothes properly" modifies the noun "iron."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good iron *to iron* my clothes properly).

Ironing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Ironing takes up a lot of my time.

    Ironing takes up a lot of my time.

    • "*Ironing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (up a lot of my time).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy ironing my clothes.

    I enjoy ironing my clothes.

    • "*Ironing* my clothes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ironing* my clothes).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for ironing.

    She has a talent for ironing.

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

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

She plans to iron all the shirts tonight.

They hope to iron their clothes before the party.

He wants to iron his suit for the meeting.

We decided to iron our dresses for the event.

They agreed to iron their clothes together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys ironing her husband's shirts.

They recommend using a steam iron for better ironing results.

I dislike ironing large bedsheets.

He avoids ironing delicate fabrics.

Can you imagine spending hours ironing every week?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to iron her clothes herself. She likes ironing her clothes herself.

We started to iron our own clothes. We started ironing our own clothes.

He began to iron his shirts regularly. He began ironing his shirts regularly.

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