To Whittle vs Whittling 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 whittle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to whittle a piece of wood into a sculpture.

Whittling (Gerund)

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

Example

Whittling can be a relaxing and creative hobby.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To whittle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To whittle requires patience and skill.

  To whittle requires patience and skill.

  • "*To whittle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to whittle her a wooden spoon.

  She wants me to whittle her a wooden spoon.

  • "Me *to whittle* her a wooden spoon" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to whittle* her a wooden spoon).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a sharp knife to whittle the wood.

  I need a sharp knife to whittle the wood.

  • "*To whittle* the wood" modifies the noun "knife."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sharp knife *to whittle* the wood).

Whittling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Whittling requires patience and precision.

  Whittling requires patience and precision.

  • "*Whittling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and precision).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy whittling intricate designs on wooden blocks.

  I enjoy whittling intricate designs on wooden blocks.

  • "*Whittling* intricate designs on wooden blocks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*whittling* intricate designs on wooden blocks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for whittling.

  He has a talent for whittling.

  • "For *whittling*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *whittling*).

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

He plans to whittle a walking stick from a tree branch.

They hope to whittle a wooden figurine for their friend's birthday.

She wants to whittle a set of wooden spoons for her kitchen.

We decided to whittle a small boat out of driftwood.

They agreed to whittle a totem pole together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys whittling small animals out of wood.

They recommend whittling as a way to relax and unwind.

I dislike the idea of whittling because I'm not good with knives.

He avoids whittling due to safety concerns.

Can you imagine yourself whittling a wooden chess set?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to whittle intricate designs into wooden boxes. She likes whittling intricate designs into wooden boxes.

We started to whittle our own wooden utensils. We started whittling our own wooden utensils.

He began to whittle small figurines from soft woods. He began whittling small figurines from soft woods.