To Trundle vs Trundling 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 trundle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to trundle the suitcase across the room.

Trundling (Gerund)

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

Example

Trundling the suitcase across the room is tiring.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To trundle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To trundle is a slow and steady movement.

  To trundle is a slow and steady movement.

  • "*To trundle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a slow and steady movement).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to trundle the cart to the storage room.

  She wants me to trundle the cart to the storage room.

  • "Me *to trundle* the cart to the storage room" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to trundle* the cart to the storage room).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a sturdy wheelbarrow to trundle the heavy load.

  I need a sturdy wheelbarrow to trundle the heavy load.

  • "*To trundle* the heavy load" modifies the noun "sturdy wheelbarrow."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy wheelbarrow *to trundle* the heavy load).

Trundling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Trundling requires strength and balance.

  Trundling requires strength and balance.

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

  I enjoy trundling the shopping cart through the aisles.

  I enjoy trundling the shopping cart through the aisles.

  • "*Trundling* the shopping cart through the aisles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*trundling* the shopping cart through the aisles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for trundling heavy objects.

  She has a talent for trundling heavy objects.

  • "For *trundling* heavy objects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *trundling* heavy objects).

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

He plans to trundle the shopping trolley to the car.

They hope to trundle the luggage to the hotel room.

She wants to trundle the wheelbarrow to the garden.

We decided to trundle the stroller to the park.

They agreed to trundle the boxes into the storage room.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys trundling the luggage at the airport.

They recommend regular trundling for improved physical fitness.

I dislike the idea of trundling heavy furniture up the stairs.

She avoids trundling the trolley on uneven surfaces.

Can you imagine yourself trundling a wheelbarrow full of dirt?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to trundle the grocery cart around the store. She likes trundling the grocery cart around the store.

We started to trundle the wheelbarrow in the garden. We started trundling the wheelbarrow in the garden.

He began to trundle the stroller along the path. He began trundling the stroller along the path.