To Panhandle vs Panhandling 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 panhandle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I decided to panhandle to make some extra money.

Panhandling (Gerund)

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

Example

Panhandling can be a difficult way to earn money.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To panhandle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To panhandle is illegal in many cities.

  To panhandle is illegal in many cities.

  • "*To panhandle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (illegal) + prepositional phrase (in many cities).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to panhandle with her.

  She asked me to panhandle with her.

  • "Me *to panhandle* with her" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to panhandle* with her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a sign to panhandle effectively.

  He needs a sign to panhandle effectively.

  • "*To panhandle* effectively" modifies the noun "sign."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a sign *to panhandle* effectively).

Panhandling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Panhandling is often seen as a last resort.

  Panhandling is often seen as a last resort.

  • "*Panhandling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverbial phrase (often seen as a last resort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy panhandling for charity.

  I enjoy panhandling for charity.

  • "*Panhandling* for charity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*panhandling* for charity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in panhandling.

  She has experience in panhandling.

  • "In *panhandling*" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *panhandling*).

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

• hope
• refuse
• plan
• attempt
• choose

Example

They hope to panhandle enough money for their next meal.

He refused to panhandle and instead looked for a job.

We planned to panhandle at the busy intersection.

She attempted to panhandle outside the grocery store.

They chose to panhandle as a means of survival.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• practice

Example

He avoids panhandling by finding odd jobs.

They are considering panhandling as a temporary solution.

I recommend against panhandling in unsafe areas.

Do you mind panhandling in public places?

She practices panhandling techniques to increase donations.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to panhandle near busy intersections. He likes panhandling near busy intersections.

We started to panhandle after losing our jobs. We started panhandling after losing our jobs.

She began to panhandle when she couldn't find housing. She began panhandling when she couldn't find housing.