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 want to roil the water to create a whirlpool.

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 chaos.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To roil (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To roil the water requires a lot of energy.

  To roil the water requires a lot of energy.

  • "*To roil* the water" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of energy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to roil the river with excitement.

  She wants me to roil the river with excitement.

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

  I need a strong current to roil the water.

  I need a strong current to roil the water.

  • "*To roil* the water" modifies the noun "current."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong current *to roil* the water).

Roiling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Roiling the water can be dangerous during a storm.

  Roiling the water can be dangerous during a storm.

  • "*Roiling* the water" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (dangerous).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy roiling the river with my boat's propellers.

  I enjoy roiling the river with my boat's propellers.

  • "*Roiling* the river with my boat's propellers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*roiling* the river with my boat's propellers).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fascination with roiling the water.

  She has a fascination with roiling the water.

  • "With *roiling* the water" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fascination with *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
• choose
• struggle
• demand

Example

He attempted to roil the water with his powerful strokes.

They pretend to roil the ocean with their imaginary waves.

We chose to roil the river for an added challenge.

She struggles to roil the water against the strong current.

The audience demands to roil the water for a thrilling performance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• resist

Example

He avoids roiling the calm surface of the lake.

They are considering roiling the water to simulate a natural habitat.

Experts recommend roiling the soil for better plant growth.

Can you imagine the impact of roiling the entire ocean?

She resists the temptation of roiling the peaceful atmosphere.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

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

We started to roil the river for a more challenging experience. We started roiling the river for a more challenging experience.

He began to roil the water with powerful splashes. He began roiling the water with powerful splashes.