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 down the hill on my skateboard.

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 down the street with a shopping cart can be 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) + adjective phrase (a slow and steady movement).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to trundle the cart to the garage.

  She wants me to trundle the cart to the garage.

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

  I need a smooth surface to trundle my wheelchair.

  I need a smooth surface to trundle my wheelchair.

  • "*To trundle* my wheelchair" modifies the noun "surface."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a smooth surface *to trundle* my wheelchair).

Trundling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Trundling is a common sight at the construction site.

  Trundling is a common sight at the construction site.

  • "*Trundling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common sight at the construction site).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy trundling my luggage through the airport.

  I enjoy trundling my luggage through the airport.

  • "*Trundling* my luggage through the airport" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*trundling* my luggage through the airport).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for trundling heavy objects.

  She has a knack for trundling heavy objects.

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

She plans to trundle through the park tomorrow.

They hope to trundle along the beach boardwalk during their vacation.

He wants to trundle down the mountain on his bike.

We decided to trundle through the forest this weekend.

They agreed to trundle together in the parade.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys trundling in her wheelchair at the park every evening.

They recommend regular trundling for better physical health.

I dislike the idea of trundling in the rain.

He avoids trundling heavy boxes up the stairs.

Can you imagine yourself trundling through a crowded marketplace?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to trundle her suitcase through the airport. She likes trundling her suitcase through the airport.

We started to trundle our bicycles for exercise. We started trundling our bicycles for exercise.

He began to trundle the cart every morning. He began trundling the cart every morning.