To Spawn vs Spawning 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 spawn (Infinitive)

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

Example

The fish will return to spawn in the same river where they were born.

Spawning (Gerund)

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

Example

Spawning is a crucial stage in the life cycle of many aquatic species.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To spawn (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To spawn is a natural behavior for many fish species.

  To spawn is a natural behavior for many fish species.

  • "*To spawn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural behavior for many fish species).
• 2. Object

  They want the fish to spawn in the protected area.

  They want the fish to spawn in the protected area.

  • "The fish *to spawn* in the protected area" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the fish *to spawn* in the protected area).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a clean river to spawn our fish.

  We need a clean river to spawn our fish.

  • "*To spawn* our fish" modifies the noun "river."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clean river *to spawn* our fish).

Spawning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spawning occurs during the spring months.

  Spawning occurs during the spring months.

  • "*Spawning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (occurs) + noun phrase (during the spring months).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy observing the spawning of salmon.

  I enjoy observing the spawning of salmon.

  • "Observing the *spawning* of salmon" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (observing the *spawning* of salmon).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  The conservationist is dedicated to the preservation of spawning habitats.

  The conservationist is dedicated to the preservation of spawning habitats.

  • "The preservation of *spawning* habitats" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun (The conservationist) + verb (is dedicated to) + noun phrase (the preservation of *spawning* habitats).

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

We plan to spawn the fish in the spring.

She hopes to spawn a new generation of fish in the lake.

They want to spawn their fish in the deep waters.

He decided to spawn the fish upstream.

We agreed to spawn the fish in the designated area.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy spawning fish in their backyard pond.

Experts recommend protecting important spawning grounds.

Fishermen should avoid disturbing spawning areas.

Scientists consider spawning behavior as a key ecological process.

Can you imagine the sight of thousands of fish spawning at once?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to spawn fish in my own pond. I like spawning fish in my own pond.

They started to spawn their fish in a controlled environment. They started spawning their fish in a controlled environment.

We began to spawn new generations of fish in the hatchery. We began spawning new generations of fish in the hatchery.