To Rubberneck vs Rubbernecking 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 rubberneck (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to rubberneck at the accident scene.

Rubbernecking (Gerund)

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

Example

Rubbernecking can cause traffic congestion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rubberneck (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rubberneck is rude and dangerous.

  To rubberneck is rude and dangerous.

  • "*To rubberneck*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (rude and dangerous).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rubberneck with her.

  She wants me to rubberneck with her.

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

  I need a good view to rubberneck properly.

  I need a good view to rubberneck properly.

  • "*To rubberneck* properly" modifies the noun "view."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good view *to rubberneck* properly).

Rubbernecking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rubbernecking is a common problem on highways.

  Rubbernecking is a common problem on highways.

  • "*Rubbernecking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common problem on highways).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy rubbernecking during road trips.

  I enjoy rubbernecking during road trips.

  • "*Rubbernecking* during road trips" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rubbernecking* during road trips).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of rubbernecking at accidents.

  He has a habit of rubbernecking at accidents.

  • "Of *rubbernecking* at accidents" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *rubbernecking* at accidents).

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

• decide
• pretend
• refuse
• attempt
• wish

Example

We decided to rubberneck at the accident scene.

He pretends to rubberneck to catch a glimpse of celebrities.

They refuse to rubberneck and instead focus on driving.

She attempted to rubberneck without causing a traffic jam.

I wish to rubberneck to satisfy my curiosity.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

They avoid rubbernecking to keep the traffic flowing smoothly.

I am considering rubbernecking to get a better look at the scenery.

Experts recommend against rubbernecking as it leads to accidents.

She tried to resist rubbernecking but couldn't help herself.

I understand the temptation of rubbernecking at unusual sights.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to rubberneck on long drives. She likes rubbernecking on long drives.

We started to rubberneck as soon as we saw the flashing lights. We started rubbernecking as soon as we saw the flashing lights.

He began to rubberneck out of curiosity. He began rubbernecking out of curiosity.