To Waver vs Wavering 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 waver (Infinitive)

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

Example

I can't decide whether to waver or take a firm stance on this issue.

Wavering (Gerund)

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

Example

Wavering on important decisions can lead to missed opportunities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To waver (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To waver is a sign of indecisiveness.

  To waver is a sign of indecisiveness.

  • "*To waver*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of indecisiveness).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to waver in my decision.

  She wants me to waver in my decision.

  • "Me *to waver* in my decision" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to waver* in my decision).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need more time to waver before making a choice.

  I need more time to waver before making a choice.

  • "*To waver* before making a choice" modifies the noun "time."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more time *to waver* before making a choice).

Wavering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Wavering shows a lack of confidence.

  Wavering shows a lack of confidence.

  • "*Wavering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (shows) + noun phrase (a lack of confidence).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy wavering between different choices.

  I enjoy wavering between different choices.

  • "*Wavering* between different choices" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*wavering* between different choices).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of wavering in her beliefs.

  She has a fear of wavering in her beliefs.

  • "Of *wavering* in her beliefs" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *wavering* in her beliefs).

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 waver between the two options.

They hope to waver less and make quicker decisions.

He wants to waver for a while before committing.

We decided to waver on the issue until we gather more information.

They agreed to waver in their opinions to find a middle ground.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys wavering between different options before making a decision.

They recommend avoiding wavering in your career goals.

I dislike the idea of wavering in my commitments.

He avoids wavering in his opinions by staying informed.

Can you imagine wavering in your convictions?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to waver between different choices. She likes wavering between different choices.

We started to waver in our decision-making process. We started wavering in our decision-making process.

He began to waver when faced with difficult choices. He began wavering when faced with difficult choices.