To Trudge vs Trudging 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 trudge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to trudge through the snow to get to the cabin.

Trudging (Gerund)

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

Example

Trudging through the mud can be exhausting.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To trudge (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To trudge in the rain is not fun.

  To trudge in the rain is not fun.

  • "*To trudge* in the rain" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not fun).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to trudge with her to the top of the mountain.

  She wants me to trudge with her to the top of the mountain.

  • "Me *to trudge* with her to the top of the mountain" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to trudge* with her to the top of the mountain).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need sturdy boots to trudge through the muddy path.

  I need sturdy boots to trudge through the muddy path.

  • "*To trudge* through the muddy path" modifies the noun "boots."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (sturdy boots *to trudge* through the muddy path).

Trudging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Trudging uphill requires strength and determination.

  Trudging uphill requires strength and determination.

  • "*Trudging* uphill" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and determination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy trudging through the wilderness.

  I enjoy trudging through the wilderness.

  • "*Trudging* through the wilderness" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*trudging* through the wilderness).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for trudging long distances.

  She has a passion for trudging long distances.

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

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• agree
• plan

Example

They hope to trudge up the steep hill without slipping.

He wants to trudge through the thick forest to explore.

We decided to trudge along the rocky trail for an adventure.

They agreed to trudge together in the snowstorm.

She plans to trudge through the marshy terrain tomorrow.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• dislike
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids trudging through the deep snow.

They recommend wearing proper shoes for trudging on uneven terrain.

I dislike the idea of trudging in the rain.

Can you imagine yourself trudging through the desert?

Do you mind trudging through the mud?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to trudge through challenging trails. She likes trudging through challenging trails.

We started to trudge early in the morning. We started trudging early in the morning.

He began to trudge up the steep hill. He began trudging up the steep hill.