To Neigh vs Neighing 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 neigh (Infinitive)

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

Example

The horse wants to neigh loudly to get attention.

Neighing (Gerund)

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

Example

Neighing is how horses communicate with each other.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To neigh (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To neigh is a natural behavior for horses.

  To neigh is a natural behavior for horses.

  • "*To neigh*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural behavior for horses).
• 2. Object

  She wants her horse to neigh on command.

  She wants her horse to neigh on command.

  • "Her horse *to neigh* on command" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her horse *to neigh* on command).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a large pasture to neigh freely.

  He needs a large pasture to neigh freely.

  • "*To neigh* freely" modifies the noun "pasture."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a large pasture *to neigh* freely).

Neighing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Neighing can be heard from the stable.

  Neighing can be heard from the stable.

  • "*Neighing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be heard) + noun phrase (from the stable).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy listening to the horses' neighing.

  I enjoy listening to the horses' neighing.

  • "Listening to the horses' *neighing*" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (listening to the horses' *neighing*).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of loud neighing.

  She has a fear of loud neighing.

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

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 neigh at the horse show tomorrow.

They hope to neigh together in the field.

He wants his horse to neigh when he calls.

We decided to neigh loudly during the parade.

They agreed to neigh at the same time.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys neighing as a sign of happiness.

They recommend observing horse neighing for better understanding.

I dislike the sound of constant neighing.

He avoids sudden loud neighing.

Can you imagine the sound of horses neighing in the morning?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to neigh when she sees other horses. She likes neighing when she sees other horses.

We started to neigh in response to their calls. We started neighing in response to their calls.

He began to neigh after being separated from the herd. He began neighing after being separated from the herd.