To Tiptoe vs Tiptoeing 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 tiptoe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to tiptoe so that I don't wake up the baby.

Tiptoeing (Gerund)

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

Example

Tiptoeing is a way to move silently and avoid being noticed.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To tiptoe (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To tiptoe requires balance and coordination.

  To tiptoe requires balance and coordination.

  • "*To tiptoe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (balance and coordination).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to tiptoe around the house.

  She wants me to tiptoe around the house.

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

  I need soft shoes to tiptoe quietly.

  I need soft shoes to tiptoe quietly.

  • "*To tiptoe* quietly" modifies the noun "shoes."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (soft shoes *to tiptoe* quietly).

Tiptoeing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Tiptoeing requires concentration and control.

  Tiptoeing requires concentration and control.

  • "*Tiptoeing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (concentration and control).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy tiptoeing around the house when everyone is asleep.

  I enjoy tiptoeing around the house when everyone is asleep.

  • "*Tiptoeing* around the house" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tiptoeing* around the house).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of tiptoeing in the dark.

  She has a fear of tiptoeing in the dark.

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

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 tiptoe into the room without making any noise.

They hope to tiptoe past the security guards undetected.

He wants to tiptoe across the creaky floorboards.

We decided to tiptoe to avoid disturbing the sleeping dog.

They agreed to tiptoe in order to surprise their friend.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys tiptoeing through the garden at night.

They recommend tiptoeing when entering a quiet library.

I dislike the feeling of tiptoeing on hard surfaces.

He avoids tiptoeing on squeaky floors.

Can you imagine yourself tiptoeing through a field of flowers?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to tiptoe around the house. She likes tiptoeing around the house.

We started to tiptoe whenever we entered the baby's room. We started tiptoeing whenever we entered the baby's room.

He began to tiptoe as soon as he realized the floor was creaky. He began tiptoeing as soon as he realized the floor was creaky.