To Vibrate vs Vibrating 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 vibrate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to vibrate at a higher frequency to achieve better results.

Vibrating (Gerund)

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

Example

Vibrating can be soothing for relaxation purposes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To vibrate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To vibrate is a natural phenomenon in many objects.

  To vibrate is a natural phenomenon in many objects.

  • "*To vibrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural phenomenon in many objects).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to vibrate the phone to alert her.

  She wants me to vibrate the phone to alert her.

  • "Me *to vibrate* the phone to alert her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to vibrate* the phone to alert her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong motor to vibrate the device.

  I need a strong motor to vibrate the device.

  • "*To vibrate* the device" modifies the noun "motor."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong motor *to vibrate* the device).

Vibrating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Vibrating is a common feature in modern smartphones.

  Vibrating is a common feature in modern smartphones.

  • "*Vibrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common feature in modern smartphones).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy vibrating my phone to receive notifications.

  I enjoy vibrating my phone to receive notifications.

  • "*Vibrating* my phone to receive notifications" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*vibrating* my phone to receive notifications).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fascination with vibrating objects.

  She has a fascination with vibrating objects.

  • "With *vibrating* objects" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fascination with *vibrating* 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

• choose
• manage
• demand
• determine
• seem

Example

They choose to vibrate the sound system at a lower volume.

He managed to vibrate the ground with his powerful footsteps.

The audience demands to vibrate the theater seats during action scenes.

We determined to vibrate the metal plate with a tuning fork.

It seems to vibrate when exposed to certain frequencies.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• practice

Example

He avoids vibrating his phone during meetings.

They recommend vibrating massage chairs for relaxation.

Do you mind vibrating your phone on silent mode?

I am considering vibrating the floor for a sensory experience.

She practices vibrating her vocal cords for singing.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to vibrate her phone on the highest setting. She likes vibrating her phone on the highest setting.

We began to vibrate the device for testing purposes. We began vibrating the device for testing purposes.

He continues to vibrate the strings of the guitar. He continues vibrating the strings of the guitar.