To Kindle vs Kindling 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 kindle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to kindle a fire to keep warm.

Kindling (Gerund)

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

Example

Kindling is essential for starting a fire.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To kindle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To kindle a fire requires skill and patience.

  To kindle a fire requires skill and patience.

  • "*To kindle* a fire" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and patience).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to kindle the bonfire.

  She wants me to kindle the bonfire.

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

  We need dry wood to kindle a fire.

  We need dry wood to kindle a fire.

  • "*To kindle* a fire" modifies the noun "wood."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (dry wood *to kindle* a fire).

Kindling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Kindling provides the initial flame to start the fire.

  Kindling provides the initial flame to start the fire.

  • "*Kindling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (provides) + noun phrase (the initial flame).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy gathering kindling for the campfire.

  I enjoy gathering kindling for the campfire.

  • "Gathering *kindling*" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (gathering *kindling*).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for finding kindling.

  He has a talent for finding kindling.

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

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

They plan to kindle a campfire tonight.

I hope to kindle a romantic atmosphere for our anniversary.

He wants to kindle a sense of adventure in his children.

We decided to kindle a bonfire on the beach.

They agreed to kindle a fire together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys gathering kindling in the forest.

They recommend using dry wood for better kindling.

I dislike the smell of wet kindling.

He avoids using pine cones as kindling.

Can you imagine yourself collecting kindling in the wilderness?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to kindle a fire in the fireplace. She likes kindling the fire in the fireplace.

We started to kindle the bonfire at sunset. We started kindling the bonfire at sunset.

He began to kindle the campfire with newspaper. He began kindling the campfire with newspaper.