To Shrivel vs Shriveling 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 shrivel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to shrivel up in this heat.

Shriveling (Gerund)

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

Example

Shriveling is a sign of dehydration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To shrivel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To shrivel is a natural process for some fruits and vegetables.

  To shrivel is a natural process for some fruits and vegetables.

  • "*To shrivel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process for some fruits and vegetables).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to shrivel the leaves of the plant.

  She wants me to shrivel the leaves of the plant.

  • "Me *to shrivel* the leaves of the plant" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shrivel* the leaves of the plant).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a dehydrator to shrivel the fruits.

  I need a dehydrator to shrivel the fruits.

  • "*To shrivel* the fruits" modifies the noun "dehydrator."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dehydrator *to shrivel* the fruits).

Shriveling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Shriveling can be prevented by proper watering.

  Shriveling can be prevented by proper watering.

  • "*Shriveling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be prevented) + noun phrase (by proper watering).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy shriveling the leaves to preserve them.

  I enjoy shriveling the leaves to preserve them.

  • "*Shriveling* the leaves to preserve them" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shriveling* the leaves to preserve them).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of shriveling.

  She has a fear of shriveling.

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

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

He plans to shrivel the flowers for her art project.

They hope to shrivel the old leaves to make room for new growth.

She wants to shrivel the mushrooms before cooking them.

We decided to shrivel the grapes to make raisins.

They agreed to shrivel the tomatoes for sun-drying.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys shriveling the flowers to create dried arrangements.

They recommend avoiding excessive sunlight to prevent shriveling of the skin.

I dislike the idea of shriveling my hands in cold water.

She avoids shriveling the leaves by providing adequate moisture.

Can you imagine the feeling of shriveling under the scorching sun?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to shrivel up in the sun. They like shriveling up in the sun.

We started to shrivel the herbs for preservation. We started shriveling the herbs for preservation.

He began to shrivel the flowers to use them in crafts. He began shriveling the flowers to use them in crafts.