To Yaw vs Yawing 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 yaw (Infinitive)

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

Example

The airplane needs to yaw in order to maintain stability.

Yawing (Gerund)

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

Example

Yawing can be dangerous if not properly controlled.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To yaw (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To yaw is a common maneuver in aviation.

  To yaw is a common maneuver in aviation.

  • "*To yaw*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common maneuver in aviation).
• 2. Object

  The pilot wants the aircraft to yaw to the left.

  The pilot wants the aircraft to yaw to the left.

  • "The aircraft *to yaw* to the left" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (The pilot) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the aircraft *to yaw* to the left).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a rudder to yaw the boat.

  We need a rudder to yaw the boat.

  • "*To yaw* the boat" modifies the noun "rudder."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a rudder *to yaw* the boat).

Yawing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Yawing is a common issue in sailing.

  Yawing is a common issue in sailing.

  • "*Yawing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common issue in sailing).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys yawing the boat in strong winds.

  He enjoys yawing the boat in strong winds.

  • "*Yawing* the boat in strong winds" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*yawing* the boat in strong winds).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have experience in yawing small aircraft.

  They have experience in yawing small aircraft.

  • "In *yawing* small aircraft" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (experience in *yawing* small aircraft).

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

The captain plans to yaw the ship when docking.

I hope to yaw smoothly during my first flight lesson.

They want the helicopter to yaw to the right.

She decided to yaw the drone for a better view.

The co-pilots agreed to yaw the plane gently.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys yawing her sailboat on calm waters.

Experts recommend practicing yawing maneuvers in a controlled environment.

Pilots should avoid excessive yawing during takeoff and landing.

Can you imagine yourself yawing a fighter jet?

We are considering yawing the ship for better stability.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to yaw the drone for aerial photography. She likes yawing in turbulent weather.

They started to yaw the car to avoid an obstacle. We started yawing the boat during the storm.

I began to yaw the plane at high altitudes. He began yawing as soon as the wind picked up.