To Spake vs Spaking 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 spake (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to spake at the conference to share my ideas.

Spaking (Gerund)

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

Example

Spaking is an effective way to communicate your thoughts.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To spake (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To spake is a great way to express your thoughts.

  To spake is a great way to express your thoughts.

  • "*To spake*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to express your thoughts).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to spake at the meeting.

  She wants me to spake at the meeting.

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

  I need a platform to spake my opinions.

  I need a platform to spake my opinions.

  • "*To spake* my opinions" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to spake* my opinions).

Spaking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spaking requires good public speaking skills.

  Spaking requires good public speaking skills.

  • "*Spaking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good public speaking skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy spaking in front of large audiences.

  I enjoy spaking in front of large audiences.

  • "*Spaking* in front of large audiences" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*spaking* in front of large audiences).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for spaking persuasively.

  She has a talent for spaking persuasively.

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

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 spake about her research findings next week.

They hope to spake on behalf of the community at the town hall meeting.

He wants to spake at the seminar to share his expertise.

We decided to spake about the importance of education in our presentation.

They agreed to spake together at the conference panel.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys spaking at conferences and sharing her knowledge.

They recommend regular spaking practice for improving communication skills.

I dislike the idea of spaking in public.

He avoids spaking in front of large crowds.

Can you imagine yourself spaking confidently on stage?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to spake in debates and express her opinions. She likes spaking in debates and expressing her opinions.

We started to spake at local events to raise awareness. We started spaking at local events to raise awareness.

He began to spake about environmental issues last year. He began spaking about environmental issues last year.