To Leash vs Leashing 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 leash (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to leash my dog when we go for a walk.

Leashing (Gerund)

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

Example

Leashing your dog is important for their safety.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To leash (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To leash is important for controlling your dog.

  To leash is important for controlling your dog.

  • "*To leash*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for controlling your dog).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to leash her dog.

  She wants me to leash her dog.

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

  I need a sturdy leash to control my strong dog.

  I need a sturdy leash to control my strong dog.

  • "*To control* my strong dog" modifies the noun "leash."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy leash *to control* my strong dog).

Leashing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Leashing is a responsible action for dog owners.

  Leashing is a responsible action for dog owners.

  • "*Leashing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a responsible action for dog owners).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy leashing my dog before going for a walk.

  I enjoy leashing my dog before going for a walk.

  • "*Leashing* my dog before going for a walk" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*leashing* my dog before going for a walk).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for leashing her dog with a retractable leash.

  She has a preference for leashing her dog with a retractable leash.

  • "For *leashing* her dog with a retractable leash" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *leashing* her dog with a retractable leash).

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 leash her dog in the park tomorrow.

They hope to leash their dogs during the hike.

He wants to leash his dog in public places.

We decided to leash our dogs while visiting friends.

They agreed to leash their dogs at the beach together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys leashing her dog in the park every morning.

They recommend regular leashing for better control of your dog.

I dislike the idea of leashing my dog in crowded areas.

He avoids leashing his dog near aggressive dogs.

Can you imagine yourself leashing a giant breed dog?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to leash her dog in the backyard. She likes leashing her dog in the backyard.

We started to leash our puppy when we take her outside. We started leashing our puppy when we take her outside.

He began to leash his dog after an incident at the park. He began leashing his dog after an incident at the park.