To Warn vs Warning 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 warn (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to warn you about the potential dangers.

Warning (Gerund)

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

Example

Warning others can prevent accidents.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To warn (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To warn is his responsibility as a lifeguard.

  To warn is his responsibility as a lifeguard.

  • "*To warn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his responsibility as a lifeguard).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to warn her about the upcoming storm.

  She wants me to warn her about the upcoming storm.

  • "Me *to warn* her about the upcoming storm" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to warn* her about the upcoming storm).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a sign to warn people of the slippery floor.

  We need a sign to warn people of the slippery floor.

  • "*To warn* people of the slippery floor" modifies the noun "sign."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sign *to warn* people of the slippery floor).

Warning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Warning is important for safety awareness.

  Warning is important for safety awareness.

  • "*Warning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for safety awareness).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate your warning about the potential hazards.

  I appreciate your warning about the potential hazards.

  • "Your *warning* about the potential hazards" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (your *warning* about the potential hazards).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They had a discussion about warning signs.

  They had a discussion about warning signs.

  • "About *warning* signs" is the object of the preposition "about."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (had) + noun phrase (a discussion about *warning* signs).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• manage
• demand

Example

They decided to warn the public about the safety concerns.

He refused to warn them about the potential risks.

She attempted to warn him about the approaching danger.

We managed to warn everyone in time.

The authorities demanded to warn the residents about the evacuation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• mind

Example

He avoids warning others without valid reasons.

We are considering warning the public about the new regulations.

I recommend warning people about the potential scams.

They postponed warning the employees until the next meeting.

She doesn't mind warning others about the risks involved.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He likes to warn people about the dangers of smoking. He likes warning people about the dangers of smoking.

We began to warn our neighbors about the approaching storm. We began warning our neighbors about the approaching storm.

They continue to warn drivers about the speed limit. They continue warning drivers about the speed limit.