To Stammer vs Stammering 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 stammer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to stammer less when I speak in public.

Stammering (Gerund)

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

Example

Stammering can be improved with therapy and practice.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stammer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stammer is a common speech disorder.

  To stammer is a common speech disorder.

  • "*To stammer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common speech disorder).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to stammer less during our presentations.

  She wants me to stammer less during our presentations.

  • "Me *to stammer* less during our presentations" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to stammer* less during our presentations).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a speech therapist to stammer less.

  I need a speech therapist to stammer less.

  • "*To stammer* less" modifies the noun "speech therapist."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a speech therapist *to stammer* less).

Stammering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stammering affects many people around the world.

  Stammering affects many people around the world.

  • "*Stammering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (affects) + noun phrase (many people around the world).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy stammering less when I use certain techniques.

  I enjoy stammering less when I use certain techniques.

  • "*Stammering* less" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*stammering* less).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of stammering in public.

  She has a fear of stammering in public.

  • "Of *stammering* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *stammering* in public).

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

He plans to stammer less during his job interview.

They hope to stammer less when giving speeches.

She wants to stammer less in social situations.

We decided to stammer less during presentations.

They agreed to stammer less in meetings.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys stammering less with the help of speech therapy.

They recommend practicing stammering techniques regularly.

I dislike the feeling of stammering during important conversations.

She avoids situations that trigger stammering.

Can you imagine yourself overcoming stammering and speaking fluently?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to stammer with confidence. I like stammering with confidence.

He started to stammer at a young age. He started stammering at a young age.

We began to stammer less after seeking professional help. We began stammering less after seeking professional help.