To Aim vs Aiming 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 aim (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to aim for the bullseye in archery.

Aiming (Gerund)

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

Example

Aiming requires focus and concentration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To aim (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To aim accurately is essential in shooting sports.

  To aim accurately is essential in shooting sports.

  • "*To aim* accurately" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (in shooting sports).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to aim at the target.

  She wants me to aim at the target.

  • "Me *to aim* at the target" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to aim* at the target).
• 3. Adverbial Modifier

  I need a steady hand to aim properly.

  I need a steady hand to aim properly.

  • "*To aim* properly" modifies the verb "need."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a steady hand *to aim* properly).

Aiming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Aiming is an important skill in archery.

  Aiming is an important skill in archery.

  • "*Aiming*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in archery).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy aiming at the target.

  I enjoy aiming at the target.

  • "*Aiming* at the target" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*aiming* at the target).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for aiming accurately.

  She has a passion for aiming accurately.

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

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

• decide
• plan
• hope
• want
• manage

Example

We decided to aim for the gold medal in the competition.

He plans to aim higher in his career.

They hope to aim for success in their business venture.

She wants to aim for excellence in her studies.

He managed to aim accurately despite the challenging conditions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind

Example

He enjoys aiming at different targets.

They recommend regular aiming practice for better accuracy.

I avoid aiming at moving objects.

We are considering aiming for the championship title.

Do you mind aiming at a smaller target?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to aim for the center of the dartboard. She likes aiming at the center of the dartboard.

We started to aim for higher goals in our project. We started aiming for higher goals in our project.

He began to aim more accurately after receiving proper training. He began aiming more accurately after receiving proper training.