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To Yean vs Yeaning Infinitives & Gerunds

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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 yean (Infinitive)

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

Example

The sheep farmer plans to yean the lambs in the spring.

Yeaning (Gerund)

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

Example

Yeaning can be a challenging time for sheep farmers.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To yean (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To yean is a natural process for sheep.

    To yean is a natural process for sheep.

    • "*To yean*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process for sheep).
  • 2Object

    She wants the ewe to yean twins.

    She wants the ewe to yean twins.

    • "The ewe *to yean* twins" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the ewe *to yean* twins).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a shelter to yean the sheep.

    I need a shelter to yean the sheep.

    • "*To yean* the sheep" modifies the noun "shelter."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a shelter *to yean* the sheep).

Yeaning (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Yeaning requires proper care and attention.

    Yeaning requires proper care and attention.

    • "*Yeaning*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (proper care and attention).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy watching the ewes yeaning their lambs.

    I enjoy watching the ewes yeaning their lambs.

    • "Watching the ewes *yeaning* their lambs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (watching the ewes *yeaning* their lambs).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has experience in yeaning sheep.

    She has experience in yeaning sheep.

    • "In *yeaning* sheep" is the object of the preposition "in."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *yeaning* sheep).

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

The shepherd plans to yean the lambs in the barn.

They hope to yean healthy lambs this season.

He wants the ewes to yean early.

We decided to yean the lambs outdoors.

They agreed to yean the lambs together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys yeaning season on the farm.

They recommend proper preparation before yeaning begins.

I dislike the smell during yeaning.

He avoids disturbing the ewes while they are yeaning.

Can you imagine the joy of seeing lambs yeaning for the first time?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to yean the lambs herself. She likes yeaning the lambs herself.

We started to yean our own sheep. We started yeaning our own sheep.

He began to yean the ewes in the barn. He began yeaning the ewes in the barn.

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