Difference Between Gerund and To-Infinitives

Verbs Taking Gerund or To-Infinitives

In English, some verbs are followed by a gerund, while others are followed by a to-infinitive. This can be confusing because both forms can sometimes appear in similar positions. Simply put, the two forms have different structures:

• Gerund: an “-ing” form that works like a noun
  Example: I enjoy reading.
• To-infinitive: “to” + the base form of a verb
  Example: I want to read.

Some verbs are followed by a gerund. Other verbs are followed by a to-infinitive. In some cases, both forms are possible with little or no change in meaning.

Because of this, you need to learn the pattern that each verb takes. Still, there are some useful meaning patterns. For example, a gerund often refers to an action as an experience, habit, or completed action, while a to-infinitive often points to a purpose, plan, or future action.

This is not a perfect rule, but it can help you understand why some verbs prefer one form over the other.

Before we look at which verbs are followed by gerunds and which verbs are followed by to-infinitives, let’s briefly review what gerunds and to-infinitives are. If you are already familiar with these concepts, you can skip the next two sections.

Gerunds

Gerunds are verb “-ing” forms that work like nouns in a sentence. Once an “-ing” form is used as a gerund, it doesn’t function as the main verb of the sentence. Take a look at the following example:

She is interested in learning Spanish.

• Main subject: She
• Main verb: is
• Prepositional phrase: in learning Spanish

In this sentence, “learning” is used as a gerund. We can tell this because it follows the preposition “in.” Note that a preposition is always followed by a noun or a noun-like element (e.g., gerund). Here, “learning” is a gerund, and “learning Spanish” is a gerund phrase. The whole phrase comes after “in,” so it works like a noun.

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What Is a Gerund? How It Is Used in English Sentences

🕒️June 3, 2026

GerundsIn English grammar, a gerund is an “-ing” form of a verb that works like a noun. For example, “eating,” “running,” and “discussing” can all be gerunds.At first, some learners think that every “-ing” form shows an action in progress. This is not correct. An “-ing” form shows the progressive form only when it is used with a form of “be,” as in “is eating” or “was running.”When an “-ing” form works like a noun, it is called a gerund. Take a look at the example below:Running is good exerci...

To-Infinitives

A to-infinitive is made with the infinitive marker “to” and the base form of a verb. Note that this “to” is grammatically different from the preposition “to.”

A preposition “to” is followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a noun-like element such as a gerund. In contrast, the infinitive marker “to” is followed by the base form of a verb.

Let’s look at how to-infinitive constructions function differently in sentences.

Adverbial: showing the purpose of an action

I went to the library to study.

In this sentence, “to study” explains the purpose of the action “went.” It tells us why the person went to the library. Because it gives extra information about the verb, it has an adverbial function.

Adjective: modifying a noun

She needs a quiet place to work.

In this sentence, “to work” modifies the noun “place.” It tells us what kind of place she needs. Because it gives extra information about a noun, it has an adjective-like function.

Nominal: working like a noun

To learn a new language takes time.

In this sentence, “To learn a new language” is the subject of the sentence. In English, the subject position requires a noun or a noun-like element. Since this to-infinitive phrase is used in the subject position, it works like a noun. The sentence means that the action of learning a new language takes time.

Nuances of Gerund and To-Infinitive

Gerunds and to-infinitives can create different meanings after some verbs. This is one reason why certain verbs are followed by a gerund, while others are followed by a to-infinitive.

• gerund: presents an action as a real activity, an experience, or something already in progress.
• to-infinitive: presents an action as a plan, goal, purpose, or something that has not happened yet.

Understanding this difference helps you see why some verbs naturally take one form over the other.

For example, the verb “enjoy” takes a gerund. This pattern makes sense because “enjoy” refers to getting pleasure from an activity or experience. That is why we say “I enjoy reading,” not “I enjoy to read.” The gerund “reading” presents the action as an activity, while “to read” points more toward a future action, purpose, or intention. This is why “to read” does not fit after “enjoy.”

Verbs That Take Only a Gerund or a To-Infinitive

Some verbs are followed only by a gerund. Other verbs are followed only by a to-infinitive. In this section, we will look at example sentences for both patterns.

She avoided answering the question.

In this sentence, the verb “avoided” is followed by the gerund “answering.” We don’t say “She avoided to answer the question.” When “avoid” is followed by another verb, that verb must be in the gerund form.

He decided to leave early.

In this sentence, the verb “decided” is followed by the to-infinitive “to leave.” We do not say “He decided leaving early.” When “decide” is followed directly by another verb, that verb must be in the to-infinitive form. This pattern makes sense because the action he decided to take comes after the decision.

The university plans to expand the library next year.

In this sentence, “plans” is followed by the to-infinitive “to expand.” We do not say “The university plans expanding the library next year.” The verb “plan” already looks toward a later action. The expansion has not happened yet; it is the goal of the plan. For that reason, the to-infinitive fits the meaning of the verb.