To Slather vs Slathering 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 slather (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to slather sunscreen all over my body before going to the beach.

Slathering (Gerund)

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

Example

Slathering on moisturizer helps keep the skin hydrated.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To slather (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To slather sunscreen is important for protecting your skin.

  To slather sunscreen is important for protecting your skin.

  • "*To slather* sunscreen" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for protecting your skin).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to slather her back with lotion.

  She wants me to slather her back with lotion.

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

  I need a generous amount of lotion to slather on my dry skin.

  I need a generous amount of lotion to slather on my dry skin.

  • "*To slather* on my dry skin" modifies the noun "amount of lotion."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a generous amount of lotion *to slather* on my dry skin).

Slathering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Slathering on lotion is essential for preventing dryness.

  Slathering on lotion is essential for preventing dryness.

  • "*Slathering* on lotion" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for preventing dryness).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy slathering honey on my toast.

  I enjoy slathering honey on my toast.

  • "*Slathering* honey on my toast" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*slathering* honey on my toast).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of slathering herself in sunscreen.

  She has a habit of slathering herself in sunscreen.

  • "Of *slathering* herself in sunscreen" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *slathering* herself in sunscreen).

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 slather herself with oil for a deep tan.

They hope to slather their sandwiches with mayonnaise.

He wants to slather butter on his toast.

We decided to slather the walls with paint.

They agreed to slather their bodies with mud at the spa.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys slathering her body with scented lotion.

They recommend slathering on insect repellent for outdoor activities.

I dislike the feeling of slathering on thick creams.

He avoids slathering himself in oily substances.

Can you imagine slathering yourself in chocolate syrup?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to slather her pancakes with syrup. She likes slathering her pancakes with syrup.

We started to slather ourselves with sunscreen. We started slathering ourselves with sunscreen.

He began to slather his bread with peanut butter. He began slathering his bread with peanut butter.