To Toggle vs Toggling 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 toggle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to toggle between different settings on my phone.

Toggling (Gerund)

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

Example

Toggling between different modes can be confusing at first.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To toggle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To toggle is a useful function on many devices.

  To toggle is a useful function on many devices.

  • "*To toggle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a useful function on many devices).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to toggle the switch.

  He wants me to toggle the switch.

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

  I need a button to toggle between two modes.

  I need a button to toggle between two modes.

  • "*To toggle* between two modes" modifies the noun "button."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a button *to toggle* between two modes).

Toggling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Toggling is a common action on smartphones.

  Toggling is a common action on smartphones.

  • "*Toggling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common action on smartphones).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy toggling between different settings.

  I enjoy toggling between different settings.

  • "*Toggling* between different settings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*toggling* between different settings).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of toggling between apps.

  She has a habit of toggling between apps.

  • "Of *toggling* between apps" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *toggling* between apps).

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 toggle the settings later.

They hope to toggle the options for customization.

He wants to toggle between different profiles.

We decided to toggle the settings to save battery.

They agreed to toggle between light and dark themes.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys toggling the options on her computer.

They recommend toggling between different modes for better user experience.

I dislike the idea of toggling between multiple accounts.

He avoids toggling the switch too frequently.

Can you imagine yourself toggling between different languages?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to toggle the settings on her smartwatch. She likes toggling the settings on her smartwatch.

We started to toggle between different options. We started toggling between different options.

He began to toggle the switch on and off. He began toggling the switch on and off.