To Jar vs Jarring 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 jar (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to jar my homemade pickles to preserve them.

Jarring (Gerund)

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

Example

Jarring your own jams and preserves can be rewarding.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To jar (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To jar is a common method of preserving fruits and vegetables.

  To jar is a common method of preserving fruits and vegetables.

  • "*To jar*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common method of preserving fruits and vegetables).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to jar the jam in glass jars.

  She wants me to jar the jam in glass jars.

  • "Me *to jar* the jam in glass jars" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to jar* the jam in glass jars).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a large pot to jar the salsa.

  I need a large pot to jar the salsa.

  • "*To jar* the salsa" modifies the noun "pot."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a large pot *to jar* the salsa).

Jarring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Jarring is a popular method of preserving food.

  Jarring is a popular method of preserving food.

  • "*Jarring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular method of preserving food).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy jarring my own pickles and relishes.

  I enjoy jarring my own pickles and relishes.

  • "*Jarring* my own pickles and relishes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*jarring* my own pickles and relishes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for jarring homemade preserves.

  She has a passion for jarring homemade preserves.

  • "For *jarring* homemade preserves" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *jarring* homemade preserves).

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 jar the pickles this weekend.

They hope to jar their garden produce for the winter.

He wants to jar the homemade sauce for gifts.

We decided to jar the peaches for later use.

They agreed to jar the fruits together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys jarring different types of jams and jellies.

They recommend jarring tomatoes for sauces and soups.

I dislike the process of jarring fruits with pits.

He avoids jarring foods with high acidity.

Can you imagine yourself jarring your own homemade salsa?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to jar her own pickles and relishes. She likes jarring her own pickles and relishes.

We started to jar our own fruits and vegetables. We started jarring our own fruits and vegetables.

He began to jar his own homemade jams. He began jarring his own homemade jams.