To Stoke vs Stoking 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 stoke (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to stoke the fire to keep it burning.

Stoking (Gerund)

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

Example

Stoking the fire requires patience and skill.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stoke (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stoke the fire is essential for warmth.

  To stoke the fire is essential for warmth.

  • "*To stoke* the fire" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for warmth).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to stoke the furnace.

  He wants me to stoke the furnace.

  • "Me *to stoke* the furnace" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to stoke* the furnace).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a poker to stoke the fire.

  We need a poker to stoke the fire.

  • "*To stoke* the fire" modifies the noun "poker."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a poker *to stoke* the fire).

Stoking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stoking the fire is an important task in camping.

  Stoking the fire is an important task in camping.

  • "*Stoking* the fire" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important task in camping).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy stoking the bonfire on cold nights.

  I enjoy stoking the bonfire on cold nights.

  • "*Stoking* the bonfire on cold nights" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*stoking* the bonfire on cold nights).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for stoking the fireplace.

  She has a passion for stoking the fireplace.

  • "For *stoking* the fireplace" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *stoking* the fireplace).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• manage
• choose

Example

She decided to stoke the bonfire to keep everyone warm.

They hope to stoke the fireplace before the guests arrive.

He wants to stoke the grill to cook the burgers.

We managed to stoke the engine and start the car.

They chose to stoke the furnace with coal.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

They recommend regular stoking of the wood to maintain a steady fire.

He avoids stoking the fire with wet logs.

Can you imagine yourself stoking a roaring bonfire?

We are considering stoking the furnace with coal instead of wood.

They resisted stoking the fire due to safety concerns.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to stoke the fireplace on chilly evenings. She likes stoking the fireplace on chilly evenings.

We started to stoke the campfire for cooking. We started stoking the campfire for cooking.

He began to stoke the bonfire to keep warm. He began stoking the bonfire to keep warm.