To Knead vs Kneading 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 knead (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to knead the dough for the bread.

Kneading (Gerund)

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

Example

Kneading dough can be a therapeutic activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To knead (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To knead dough requires strong hands.

  To knead dough requires strong hands.

  • "*To knead* dough" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strong hands).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to knead the dough.

  She wants me to knead the dough.

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

  I need a flat surface to knead the dough.

  I need a flat surface to knead the dough.

  • "*To knead* the dough" modifies the noun "surface."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a flat surface *to knead* the dough).

Kneading (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Kneading dough is a necessary step in baking.

  Kneading dough is a necessary step in baking.

  • "*Kneading* dough" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in baking).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy kneading the dough for homemade bread.

  I enjoy kneading the dough for homemade bread.

  • "*Kneading* the dough for homemade bread" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*kneading* the dough for homemade bread).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for kneading dough.

  She has a passion for kneading dough.

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

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 knead the dough for pizza tonight.

They hope to knead the dough perfectly for the bread.

He wants to knead the dough by hand.

We decided to knead the dough ourselves.

They agreed to knead the dough together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys kneading the dough for pastries.

They recommend regular kneading for better gluten development.

I dislike the process of kneading dough.

He avoids kneading dough by using a bread machine.

Can you imagine yourself kneading dough for hours?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to knead the dough by hand. She likes kneading the dough by hand.

We started to knead the dough for the bakery. We started kneading the dough for the bakery.

He began to knead the dough every morning. He began kneading the dough every morning.