To Shy vs Shying 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 shy (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to shy away from confrontation.

Shying (Gerund)

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

Example

Shying is a natural instinct in some animals.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To shy (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To shy is a common behavior in horses.

  To shy is a common behavior in horses.

  • "*To shy*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior in horses).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to shy away from the spotlight.

  She wants me to shy away from the spotlight.

  • "Me *to shy* away from the spotlight" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shy* away from the spotlight).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a calm environment to shy away from anxiety.

  I need a calm environment to shy away from anxiety.

  • "*To shy* away from anxiety" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a calm environment *to shy* away from anxiety).

Shying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Shying can be a sign of fear or anxiety.

  Shying can be a sign of fear or anxiety.

  • "*Shying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of fear or anxiety).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy shying away from crowded places.

  I enjoy shying away from crowded places.

  • "*Shying* away from crowded places" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shying* away from crowded places).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of shying.

  She has a fear of shying.

  • "Of *shying*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *shying*).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to shy away from social events.

They hope to shy away from public speaking.

He wants to shy away from confrontation.

We decided to shy away from risky investments.

They agreed to shy away from controversial topics.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys shying away from unfamiliar situations.

They recommend gradually exposing animals to reduce shying.

I dislike the idea of shying at every loud noise.

He avoids shying in crowded places.

Can you imagine yourself shying from something harmless?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to shy away from attention. She likes shying away from attention.

We started to shy away from risky situations. We started shying away from risky situations.

He began to shy away from large crowds. He began shying away from large crowds.