To Lour vs Louring 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 lour (Infinitive)

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

Example

The dark clouds started to lour over the horizon.

Louring (Gerund)

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

Example

The louring clouds made everyone anxious.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To lour (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To lour is a sign of an impending storm.

  To lour is a sign of an impending storm.

  • "*To lour*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of an impending storm).
• 2. Object

  He wants the storm to lour quickly.

  He wants the storm to lour quickly.

  • "The storm *to lour* quickly" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the storm *to lour* quickly).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a shelter to lour under during the storm.

  We need a shelter to lour under during the storm.

  • "*To lour* under during the storm" modifies the noun "shelter."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a shelter *to lour* under during the storm).

Louring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Louring can create a gloomy atmosphere.

  Louring can create a gloomy atmosphere.

  • "*Louring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (a gloomy atmosphere).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys the feeling of anticipation when louring is in the air.

  She enjoys the feeling of anticipation when louring is in the air.

  • "The feeling of anticipation when *louring* is in the air" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (the feeling of anticipation when *louring* is in the air).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of louring.

  He has a fear of louring.

  • "Of *louring*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *louring*).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• plan
• agree

Example

They decided to lour at the top of the mountain for a dramatic effect.

I hope the sky doesn't start to lour during the outdoor event.

She wants the clouds to lour for a stunning photograph.

We plan to lour the stage with dark clouds for the play.

They agreed to lour the scene with ominous clouds.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They avoid outdoor activities when the sky is louring.

Experts recommend staying indoors during louring weather conditions.

I am considering canceling the picnic due to the louring skies.

Do you mind the dark and louring atmosphere?

Can you imagine the sense of foreboding that comes with louring clouds?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to lour the set for a dramatic effect. They like the atmosphere created by louring skies.

We started to lour the room with heavy curtains. We started enjoying the mood set by louring weather.

He began to lour the painting with dark colors. He began appreciating the beauty of louring skies.