To Parry vs Parrying 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 parry (Infinitive)

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

Example

He trained hard to parry his opponent's attacks.

Parrying (Gerund)

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

Example

Parrying requires quick reflexes and precise timing.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To parry (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To parry is an essential skill in fencing.

  To parry is an essential skill in fencing.

  • "*To parry*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill in fencing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to parry her strikes.

  She wants me to parry her strikes.

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

  I need a strong weapon to parry the enemy's attacks.

  I need a strong weapon to parry the enemy's attacks.

  • "*To parry* the enemy's attacks" modifies the noun "weapon."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong weapon *to parry* the enemy's attacks).

Parrying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Parrying is a common defensive technique in martial arts.

  Parrying is a common defensive technique in martial arts.

  • "*Parrying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common defensive technique in martial arts).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy parrying my opponent's strikes.

  I enjoy parrying my opponent's strikes.

  • "*Parrying* my opponent's strikes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*parrying* my opponent's strikes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for parrying her opponent's attacks.

  She has a talent for parrying her opponent's attacks.

  • "For *parrying* her opponent's attacks" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *parrying* her opponent's attacks).

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

• practice
• learn
• struggle
• attempt
• choose

Example

He practices to parry his opponent's moves.

She learned to parry effectively in just a few sessions.

They struggled to parry the powerful strikes.

We attempted to parry the fast-paced attacks.

I chose to parry instead of attacking.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• resist

Example

He avoids parrying high kicks to minimize the risk of injury.

They recommend regular parrying practice for better defense.

I am considering parrying as my primary defensive strategy.

Do you mind parrying my punches during the training session?

She resisted parrying her opponent's feints.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to parry his opponent's attacks. He likes parrying his opponent's attacks.

They started to parry in their first fencing lesson. They started parrying in their first fencing lesson.

I began to parry after mastering the basic techniques. I began parrying after mastering the basic techniques.