To Reel vs Reeling 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 reel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reel in a big fish.

Reeling (Gerund)

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

Example

Reeling in a big fish can be quite challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reel is an essential skill in fishing.

  To reel is an essential skill in fishing.

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

  She wants me to reel in the fish for her.

  She wants me to reel in the fish for her.

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

  I need a strong fishing rod to reel in big catches.

  I need a strong fishing rod to reel in big catches.

  • "*To reel* in big catches" modifies the noun "fishing rod."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong fishing rod *to reel* in big catches).

Reeling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reeling in a big fish requires strength and technique.

  Reeling in a big fish requires strength and technique.

  • "*Reeling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and technique).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reeling in the fish from the river.

  I enjoy reeling in the fish from the river.

  • "*Reeling* in the fish from the river" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reeling* in the fish from the river).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for reeling in big catches.

  She has a passion for reeling in big catches.

  • "For *reeling* in big catches" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *reeling* in big catches).

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
• decide
• attempt
• choose
• determine

Example

They hope to reel in a trophy fish during their fishing trip.

We decided to reel in the fish together.

He attempted to reel in the giant marlin.

She chose to reel in the fish by herself.

They determined to reel in as many fish as possible.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• understand

Example

She enjoys reeling in the fish in calm waters.

They recommend practicing reeling for better fishing skills.

I avoid reeling in fish that are too small.

Can you imagine yourself reeling in a shark?

He understands the technique of reeling in big game fish.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to reel in the fish with a spinning reel. I like reeling in the fish with a spinning reel.

They started to reel in the fish competitively. They started reeling in the fish competitively.

He began to reel in the fish using a fly fishing rod. He began reeling in the fish using a fly fishing rod.