To Waddle vs Waddling 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 waddle (Infinitive)

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

Example

The penguin wants to waddle on the ice.

Waddling (Gerund)

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

Example

Waddling is a characteristic movement of penguins.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To waddle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To waddle is a unique way of walking for penguins.

  To waddle is a unique way of walking for penguins.

  • "*To waddle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a unique way of walking for penguins).
• 2. Object

  I encourage my child to waddle like a penguin.

  I encourage my child to waddle like a penguin.

  • "My child *to waddle* like a penguin" is the object of the verb "encourage."
  • Noun (I) + verb (encourage) + noun phrase (my child *to waddle* like a penguin).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a costume to waddle convincingly.

  She needs a costume to waddle convincingly.

  • "*To waddle* convincingly" modifies the noun "costume."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a costume *to waddle* convincingly).

Waddling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Waddling is the primary mode of locomotion for penguins.

  Waddling is the primary mode of locomotion for penguins.

  • "*Waddling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the primary mode of locomotion for penguins).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys watching penguins waddling on the ice.

  She enjoys watching penguins waddling on the ice.

  • "Watching penguins *waddling* on the ice" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (watching penguins *waddling* on the ice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fascination with the art of waddling.

  He has a fascination with the art of waddling.

  • "With the art of *waddling*" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fascination with the art of *waddling*).

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

• decide
• pretend
• refuse
• wish
• hope

Example

We decided to waddle around the zoo as penguins for Halloween.

The children pretend to waddle like penguins during their playtime.

He refuses to waddle in the race because it's not his natural movement.

They wish to waddle with real penguins in Antarctica.

I hope to waddle alongside the penguins at the zoo.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• resist

Example

They enjoy observing penguins waddling in their natural habitat.

Experts recommend practicing waddling to improve balance and coordination.

I avoid imitating the awkward waddling of penguins in public.

Can you imagine yourself waddling among a group of penguins?

She can't resist imitating the adorable waddling of baby penguins.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to waddle in the snow. He likes waddling in the snow.

We started to waddle as part of our penguin-themed exercise routine. We started waddling as part of our penguin-themed exercise routine.

She began to waddle when she saw the penguin exhibit at the zoo. She began waddling when she saw the penguin exhibit at the zoo.