To Roil vs Roiling 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 roil (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to roil the calm waters.

Roiling (Gerund)

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

Example

Roiling the water creates a sense of turbulence.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To roil (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To roil is to disturb the peace of the lake.

  To roil is to disturb the peace of the lake.

  • "*To roil*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (to disturb the peace of the lake).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to roil the water.

  She wants me to roil the water.

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

  I need a stick to roil the sediment.

  I need a stick to roil the sediment.

  • "*To roil* the sediment" modifies the noun "stick."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a stick *to roil* the sediment).

Roiling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Roiling the water is a common fishing technique.

  Roiling the water is a common fishing technique.

  • "*Roiling* the water" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common fishing technique).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy roiling the water to attract fish.

  I enjoy roiling the water to attract fish.

  • "*Roiling* the water" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*roiling* the water).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for roiling the water.

  She has a passion for roiling the water.

  • "For *roiling* the water" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *roiling* the water).

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
• pretend
• demand
• deserve
• wish

Example

He attempted to roil the peaceful atmosphere.

They pretend to roil the calm waters for fun.

We demand him to roil the water before we can swim.

You deserve to roil the water after all your hard work.

She wishes to roil the tranquil lake with her presence.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• postpone
• resist
• anticipate
• understand

Example

He considers roiling the water before casting his line.

They postponed roiling the water until the weather improves.

I can't resist roiling the water when I see a big fish.

She anticipates roiling the water to attract attention.

We understand the purpose of roiling the water in fishing.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

She likes to roil the water for excitement. She likes roiling the water for excitement.

We began to roil the water to create movement. We began roiling the water to create movement.

He stopped to roil the water at the request of others. He stopped roiling the water at the request of others.