To Wonder vs Wondering 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 wonder (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to wonder about the mysteries of the universe.

Wondering (Gerund)

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

Example

Wondering allows us to explore new ideas and perspectives.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To wonder (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To wonder is a natural human curiosity.

  To wonder is a natural human curiosity.

  • "*To wonder*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural human curiosity).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to wonder about the possibilities.

  She wants me to wonder about the possibilities.

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

  I need a book to wonder about the unknown.

  I need a book to wonder about the unknown.

  • "*To wonder* about the unknown" modifies the noun "book."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a book *to wonder* about the unknown).

Wondering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Wondering is a valuable tool for personal growth.

  Wondering is a valuable tool for personal growth.

  • "*Wondering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a valuable tool for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy wondering about the possibilities.

  I enjoy wondering about the possibilities.

  • "*Wondering* about the possibilities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*wondering* about the possibilities).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for wondering about the mysteries of the universe.

  She has a passion for wondering about the mysteries of the universe.

  • "For *wondering*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *wondering* about the mysteries of the universe).

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

• hope
• plan
• decide
• want
• choose

Example

They hope to wonder about the meaning of life.

She plans to wonder about the stars tonight.

We decided to wonder about the possibilities together.

He wants to wonder about the future.

I choose to wonder about the mysteries of the universe.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• imagine

Example

He considers wondering about the meaning of life.

They recommend regular wondering for personal development.

I avoid wondering about negative outcomes.

Do you mind wondering about philosophical questions?

Can you imagine yourself wondering about the mysteries of the universe?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to wonder about the unknown. She likes wondering about the unknown.

We started to wonder about the possibilities. We started wondering about the possibilities.

He began to wonder about the future. He began wondering about the future.