To Arrive vs Arriving 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 arrive (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to arrive early for the meeting.

Arriving (Gerund)

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

Example

Arriving late is not acceptable in this company.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To arrive (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To arrive on time is important for a successful event.

  To arrive on time is important for a successful event.

  • "*To arrive* on time" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for a successful event).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to arrive at the airport before noon.

  She wants me to arrive at the airport before noon.

  • "Me *to arrive* at the airport before noon" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to arrive* at the airport before noon).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reliable transportation to arrive on time.

  I need a reliable transportation to arrive on time.

  • "*To arrive* on time" modifies the noun "transportation."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable transportation *to arrive* on time).

Arriving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Arriving early shows dedication and professionalism.

  Arriving early shows dedication and professionalism.

  • "*Arriving* early" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (shows) + noun phrase (dedication and professionalism).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy arriving at new destinations.

  I enjoy arriving at new destinations.

  • "*Arriving* at new destinations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*arriving* at new destinations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of arriving late.

  She has a fear of arriving late.

  • "Of *arriving* late" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *arriving* late).

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 arrive at the party early.

They hope to arrive at their destination without any delays.

He wants to arrive at the hotel before sunset.

We decided to arrive at the concert venue together.

They agreed to arrive at the meeting on time.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys arriving at the airport early.

They recommend arriving at the venue at least an hour before the show.

I dislike the feeling of arriving unprepared.

He avoids arriving late to important meetings.

Can you imagine yourself arriving in a foreign country for the first time?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to arrive at the office before everyone else. She likes arriving early at the office.

We started to arrive at the gym at 6 AM. We started arriving early at the gym.

He began to arrive at the restaurant before the dinner rush. He began arriving early at the restaurant.