To Shampoo vs Shampooing 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 shampoo (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to shampoo my hair before the party.

Shampooing (Gerund)

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

Example

Shampooing regularly keeps your hair clean and healthy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To shampoo (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To shampoo is an essential part of hair care routine.

  To shampoo is an essential part of hair care routine.

  • "*To shampoo*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of hair care routine).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to shampoo her hair.

  She asked him to shampoo her hair.

  • "Him *to shampoo* her hair" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to shampoo* her hair).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a good shampoo to shampoo my hair.

  I need a good shampoo to shampoo my hair.

  • "*To shampoo* my hair" modifies the noun "shampoo."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good shampoo *to shampoo* my hair).

Shampooing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Shampooing is an important step in hair care.

  Shampooing is an important step in hair care.

  • "*Shampooing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in hair care).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy shampooing my hair with scented shampoos.

  I enjoy shampooing my hair with scented shampoos.

  • "*Shampooing* my hair with scented shampoos" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shampooing* my hair with scented shampoos).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a special technique for shampooing her hair.

  She has a special technique for shampooing her hair.

  • "For *shampooing* her hair" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a special technique for *shampooing* her hair).

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
• want
• hope
• attempt
• manage

Example

She decided to shampoo her hair with a natural shampoo.

He wants to shampoo his hair twice a week.

They hope to shampoo their hair with a clarifying shampoo.

I attempted to shampoo my hair without any conditioner.

We managed to shampoo our hair in less than five minutes.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• resist

Example

They recommend shampooing your hair twice a week for best results.

He avoids shampooing his hair too often to prevent dryness.

I am considering shampooing my hair with a sulfate-free shampoo.

Do you mind shampooing your hair in cold water?

She couldn't resist shampooing her hair with a new brand.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to shampoo her hair with herbal products. She likes shampooing her hair with herbal products.

We began to shampoo our hair daily. We began shampooing our hair daily.

He continues to shampoo his hair with the same brand. He continues shampooing his hair with the same brand.