To Stumble vs Stumbling 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 stumble (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to stumble during my presentation.

Stumbling (Gerund)

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

Example

Stumbling can be dangerous if you're not careful.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stumble (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stumble is embarrassing in front of a large audience.

  To stumble is embarrassing in front of a large audience.

  • "*To stumble*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (embarrassing in front of a large audience).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to stumble intentionally.

  She asked him to stumble intentionally.

  • "Him *to stumble* intentionally" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to stumble* intentionally).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a clear path to stumble on.

  He needs a clear path to stumble on.

  • "*To stumble* on" modifies the noun "path."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a clear path *to stumble* on).

Stumbling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stumbling is a common occurrence among toddlers.

  Stumbling is a common occurrence among toddlers.

  • "*Stumbling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence among toddlers).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy stumbling upon unexpected treasures.

  I enjoy stumbling upon unexpected treasures.

  • "*Stumbling* upon unexpected treasures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*stumbling* upon unexpected treasures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of stumbling.

  She has a fear of stumbling.

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

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

They plan to stumble upon a hidden treasure.

We hope to stumble upon a solution to the problem.

She wants to stumble upon a great opportunity.

He decided to stumble upon a new career path.

They agreed to stumble upon a compromise.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys stumbling upon interesting facts.

I recommend practicing stumbling techniques for self-defense.

They avoid stumbling in dimly lit areas.

Can you imagine yourself stumbling in front of a crowd?

She is considering stumbling into a new career.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to stumble upon hidden gems. They like stumbling upon hidden gems.

He started to stumble while learning to walk. He started stumbling while learning to walk.

She began to stumble upon interesting articles. She began stumbling upon interesting articles.