To Smooth vs Smoothing 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 smooth (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to smooth out the wrinkles in my shirt.

Smoothing (Gerund)

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

Example

Smoothing out the wrinkles in the fabric will make it look better.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To smooth (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To smooth is a skill that takes practice.

  To smooth is a skill that takes practice.

  • "*To smooth*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a skill that takes practice).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to smooth the surface of the table.

  She wants me to smooth the surface of the table.

  • "Me *to smooth* the surface of the table" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to smooth* the surface of the table).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a tool to smooth the edges of the wood.

  I need a tool to smooth the edges of the wood.

  • "*To smooth* the edges of the wood" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to smooth* the edges of the wood).

Smoothing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Smoothing is an important step in the process.

  Smoothing is an important step in the process.

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

  I enjoy smoothing the surface of the clay.

  I enjoy smoothing the surface of the clay.

  • "*Smoothing* the surface of the clay" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*smoothing* the surface of the clay).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for smoothing out conflicts.

  She has a talent for smoothing out conflicts.

  • "For *smoothing* out conflicts" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *smoothing* out conflicts).

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 smooth the walls before painting.

They hope to smooth out the rough patches on the road.

He wants to smooth the surface of the cake.

We decided to smooth the wrinkles on the fabric.

They agreed to smooth the transition between the two sections.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys smoothing her hair before going out.

They recommend using a brush for smoothing out the paint.

I dislike the feeling of smoothing cold cream on my face.

He avoids smoothing over the problems in their relationship.

Can you imagine yourself smoothing the icing on a cake?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to smooth the surface of the table. She likes smoothing out the wrinkles in fabric.

We started to smooth the rough edges. We started smoothing the surface of the wood.

He began to smooth the plaster on the wall. He began smoothing the clay sculpture.