Help center

To Yack vs Yacking Infinitives & Gerunds

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To yack (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to yack about my personal life.

Yacking (Gerund)

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

Example

Yacking on the phone can be time-consuming.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To yack (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To yack is not productive in this meeting.

    To yack is not productive in this meeting.

    • "*To yack*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not productive).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to yack with her about the latest gossip.

    She wants me to yack with her about the latest gossip.

    • "Me *to yack* with her about the latest gossip" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to yack* with her about the latest gossip).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a quiet space to yack on the phone.

    I need a quiet space to yack on the phone.

    • "*To yack* on the phone" modifies the noun "space."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet space *to yack* on the phone).

Yacking (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Yacking is not my favorite pastime.

    Yacking is not my favorite pastime.

    • "*Yacking*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my favorite pastime).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy yacking with my best friend.

    I enjoy yacking with my best friend.

    • "*Yacking* with my best friend" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*yacking* with my best friend).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a habit of yacking during class.

    She has a habit of yacking during class.

    • "Of *yacking* during class" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *yacking* during class).

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

Example

She plans to yack with her friends tonight.

They hope to yack for hours during their road trip.

He wants to yack about his favorite TV show.

We decided to yack about our weekend plans.

They agreed to yack about the latest news together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys yacking on social media platforms.

They recommend avoiding excessive yacking during work hours.

I dislike the idea of yacking about personal problems.

He avoids yacking with negative people.

Can you imagine yourself yacking with celebrities?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to yack on the phone for hours. She likes yacking on the phone for hours.

We started to yack about our favorite books. We started yacking about our favorite books.

He began to yack about his travel experiences. He began yacking about his travel experiences.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!