To Achieve vs Achieving 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 achieve (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to achieve my goals in life.

Achieving (Gerund)

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

Example

Achieving success requires hard work and dedication.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To achieve (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To achieve is the ultimate goal for many people.

  To achieve is the ultimate goal for many people.

  • "*To achieve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the ultimate goal for many people).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to achieve success in my career.

  She wants me to achieve success in my career.

  • "Me *to achieve* success in my career" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to achieve* success in my career).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a plan to achieve my dreams.

  I need a plan to achieve my dreams.

  • "*To achieve* my dreams" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to achieve* my dreams).

Achieving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Achieving greatness takes time and effort.

  Achieving greatness takes time and effort.

  • "*Achieving* greatness" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and effort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy achieving new milestones in my career.

  I enjoy achieving new milestones in my career.

  • "*Achieving* new milestones in my career" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*achieving* new milestones in my career).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for achieving her goals.

  She has a passion for achieving her goals.

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

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 achieve her targets by the end of the year.

They hope to achieve financial stability in their lifetime.

He wants to achieve recognition for his work.

We decided to achieve our dreams no matter what.

They agreed to achieve their goals together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys achieving personal growth through learning.

They recommend setting realistic goals and achieving them step by step.

I avoid achieving negative outcomes by careful planning.

Can you imagine yourself achieving your wildest dreams?

He considers achieving work-life balance a top priority.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to achieve her ambitions. She likes achieving her ambitions.

We started to achieve our dreams. We started achieving our dreams.

He began to achieve success in his chosen field. He began achieving success in his chosen field.