To Sniff vs Sniffing 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 sniff (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to sniff the flowers to enjoy their fragrance.

Sniffing (Gerund)

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

Example

Sniffing is one of the ways dogs gather information about their surroundings.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sniff (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sniff is a common behavior in dogs.

  To sniff is a common behavior in dogs.

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

  She wants me to sniff the perfume.

  She wants me to sniff the perfume.

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

  I need a fresh scent to sniff when I feel stressed.

  I need a fresh scent to sniff when I feel stressed.

  • "*To sniff* when I feel stressed" modifies the noun "scent."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fresh scent *to sniff* when I feel stressed).

Sniffing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sniffing can be a sign of curiosity in children.

  Sniffing can be a sign of curiosity in children.

  • "*Sniffing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of curiosity in children).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sniffing the fresh air after the rain.

  I enjoy sniffing the fresh air after the rain.

  • "*Sniffing* the fresh air after the rain" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sniffing* the fresh air after the rain).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of sniffing flowers.

  She has a habit of sniffing flowers.

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

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 sniff the flowers in the garden tomorrow.

They hope to sniff the delicious aroma of the food cooking in the kitchen.

He wants to sniff the new perfume at the store.

We decided to sniff the scented candles at the store this weekend.

They agreed to sniff the wine before tasting it together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys sniffing different scents in perfumes.

They recommend sniffing the coffee beans to enhance the aroma.

I dislike the idea of sniffing strong chemicals.

He avoids sniffing toxic fumes.

Can you imagine yourself sniffing the ocean breeze?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to sniff flowers in the garden. She likes sniffing flowers in the garden.

We started to sniff different perfumes. We started sniffing different perfumes.

He began to sniff the air for any unusual scents. He began sniffing the air for any unusual scents.