To Shake vs Shaking 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 shake (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to shake hands with the president.

Shaking (Gerund)

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

Example

Shaking hands is a common greeting in many cultures.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To shake (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To shake is a common gesture of greeting.

  To shake is a common gesture of greeting.

  • "*To shake*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common gesture of greeting).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to shake the bottle before opening it.

  She wants me to shake the bottle before opening it.

  • "Me *to shake* the bottle before opening it" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shake* the bottle before opening it).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a new blender to shake ingredients together.

  He needs a new blender to shake ingredients together.

  • "*To shake* ingredients together" modifies the noun "blender."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new blender *to shake* ingredients together).

Shaking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Shaking hands is a sign of respect.

  Shaking hands is a sign of respect.

  • "*Shaking* hands" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of respect).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy shaking a cocktail to mix the ingredients.

  I enjoy shaking a cocktail to mix the ingredients.

  • "*Shaking* a cocktail to mix the ingredients" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shaking* a cocktail to mix the ingredients).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of shaking hands with strangers.

  He has a fear of shaking hands with strangers.

  • "Of *shaking* hands with strangers" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *shaking* hands with strangers).

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

• agree
• hope
• decide
• plan
• want

Example

We agreed to shake hands as a sign of reconciliation.

They hope to shake the winner's hand after the competition.

She decided to shake things up and try something new.

We plan to shake things off and move forward.

He wants to shake the feeling of sadness.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• resist

Example

She avoids shaking hands during flu season.

They recommend shaking the bottle before use.

I am considering shaking up my routine for a change.

Do you mind shaking the rug outside?

He resists shaking hands with people he doesn't like.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

I like to shake my body to the rhythm of the music. I like shaking my body to the rhythm of the music.

They began to shake hands when they first met. They began shaking hands when they first met.

She stopped to shake the bottle and listened carefully. She stopped shaking the bottle and listened carefully.