To Thaw vs Thawing 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 thaw (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to thaw the frozen meat before cooking it.

Thawing (Gerund)

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

Example

Thawing food in the microwave is quick and convenient.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To thaw (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To thaw the chicken, leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

  To thaw the chicken, leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

  • "*To thaw* the chicken" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (leave) + noun phrase (it).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to thaw the vegetables.

  She wants me to thaw the vegetables.

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

  I need a microwave to thaw the frozen bread.

  I need a microwave to thaw the frozen bread.

  • "*To thaw* the frozen bread" modifies the noun "microwave."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a microwave *to thaw* the frozen bread).

Thawing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Thawing meat at room temperature is not recommended.

  Thawing meat at room temperature is not recommended.

  • "*Thawing* meat at room temperature" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy thawing frozen fruits for smoothies.

  I enjoy thawing frozen fruits for smoothies.

  • "*Thawing* frozen fruits for smoothies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*thawing* frozen fruits for smoothies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for thawing items quickly.

  She has a knack for thawing items quickly.

  • "For *thawing* items quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *thawing* items quickly).

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 thaw the fish for dinner tonight.

They hope to thaw the ice on the driveway before guests arrive.

He wants to thaw the soup before serving it.

We decided to thaw the cake before decorating it.

They agreed to thaw the shrimp before cooking it.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys thawing the ice cream before serving it.

They recommend thawing the frozen vegetables before cooking them.

I dislike the idea of thawing meat in the microwave.

He avoids thawing seafood in hot water.

Can you imagine thawing the cake without a microwave?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to thaw the frozen berries. She likes thawing the frozen berries.

We started to thaw the ice cream before eating it. We started thawing the ice cream before eating it.

He began to thaw the chicken breast. He began thawing the chicken breast.