To Lurch vs Lurching 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 lurch (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to lurch forward and catch the ball.

Lurching (Gerund)

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

Example

Lurching can be a sign of mechanical problems in a car.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To lurch (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To lurch is a sudden movement that can be quite startling.

  To lurch is a sudden movement that can be quite startling.

  • "*To lurch*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sudden movement that can be quite startling).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to lurch forward and grab the prize.

  He wants me to lurch forward and grab the prize.

  • "Me *to lurch* forward and grab the prize" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to lurch* forward and grab the prize).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a sturdy table to lurch on.

  They need a sturdy table to lurch on.

  • "*To lurch* on" modifies the noun "table."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy table *to lurch* on).

Lurching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Lurching is not a pleasant sensation when you're on a roller coaster.

  Lurching is not a pleasant sensation when you're on a roller coaster.

  • "*Lurching*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a pleasant sensation when you're on a roller coaster).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys the feeling of lurching in an amusement park ride.

  She enjoys the feeling of lurching in an amusement park ride.

  • "The feeling of *lurching* in an amusement park ride" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (the feeling of *lurching* in an amusement park ride).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  I have a fear of lurching suddenly while on a boat.

  I have a fear of lurching suddenly while on a boat.

  • "Of *lurching* suddenly while on a boat" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *lurching* suddenly while on a boat).

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

• attempt
• refuse
• pretend
• struggle
• demand

Example

She attempted to lurch forward, but lost her balance.

He refused to lurch in that direction.

They pretend to lurch as if they are drunk.

We struggled to lurch out of the deep mud.

The coach demanded to lurch forward with all their strength.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• mind
• recommend
• imagine

Example

He avoids lurching by driving carefully.

They are considering lurching as a possible symptom of the problem.

Do you mind lurching a bit during the bumpy ride?

The mechanic recommends fixing the issue of lurching immediately.

Can you imagine lurching in a boat on rough waters?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to lurch forward and feel the adrenaline rush. She likes lurching forward and feeling the adrenaline rush.

We started to lurch uncontrollably, causing panic. We started lurching uncontrollably, causing panic.

He began to lurch back and forth, making everyone dizzy. He began lurching back and forth, making everyone dizzy.