To Yerk vs Yerking 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 yerk (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to yerk the weeds in my garden.

Yerking (Gerund)

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

Example

Yerking is a strenuous activity that requires strength.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To yerk (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To yerk is a great way to release frustration.

  To yerk is a great way to release frustration.

  • "*To yerk*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to release frustration).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to yerk the old furniture.

  She wants me to yerk the old furniture.

  • "Me *to yerk* the old furniture" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to yerk* the old furniture).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong tool to yerk the stubborn weeds.

  I need a strong tool to yerk the stubborn weeds.

  • "*To yerk* the stubborn weeds" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong tool *to yerk* the stubborn weeds).

Yerking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Yerking is not recommended for individuals with back problems.

  Yerking is not recommended for individuals with back problems.

  • "*Yerking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended for individuals with back problems).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy yerking out the roots of the plants.

  I enjoy yerking out the roots of the plants.

  • "*Yerking* out the roots of the plants" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*yerking* out the roots of the plants).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for yerking the weeds.

  She has a passion for yerking the weeds.

  • "For *yerking* the weeds" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *yerking* the weeds).

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

She plans to yerk the overgrown shrubs tomorrow.

They hope to yerk all the unwanted plants from their garden.

He wants to yerk the grass in the backyard.

We decided to yerk the invasive vines around the fence.

They agreed to yerk the dandelions together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys yerking the garden beds on weekends.

They recommend regular yerking for a well-maintained garden.

I dislike the idea of yerking in the hot sun.

He avoids yerking near thorny plants.

Can you imagine yourself yerking in a field full of flowers?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to yerk the weeds in her neighbor's yard. She likes yerking the weeds in her neighbor's yard.

We started to yerk the overgrown hedges. We started yerking the overgrown hedges.

He began to yerk the unruly plants in his garden. He began yerking the unruly plants in his garden.