To Attain vs Attaining 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 attain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to attain my goals and dreams.

Attaining (Gerund)

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

Example

Attaining happiness is a lifelong pursuit.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To attain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To attain success requires hard work and dedication.

  To attain success requires hard work and dedication.

  • "*To attain* success" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to attain a higher level of education.

  She wants me to attain a higher level of education.

  • "Me *to attain* a higher level of education" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to attain* a higher level of education).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a mentor to attain his career goals.

  He needs a mentor to attain his career goals.

  • "*To attain* his career goals" modifies the noun "mentor."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a mentor *to attain* his career goals).

Attaining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Attaining financial independence requires careful planning.

  Attaining financial independence requires careful planning.

  • "*Attaining* financial independence" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy attaining new skills and knowledge.

  I enjoy attaining new skills and knowledge.

  • "*Attaining* new skills and knowledge" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*attaining* new skills and knowledge).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for attaining personal growth.

  She has a passion for attaining personal growth.

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

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
• decide
• want
• determine
• struggle

Example

They plan to attain financial stability in the next five years.

We decided to attain higher levels of success in our business.

She wants to attain a sense of fulfillment in her personal life.

He determined to attain his fitness goals through regular exercise.

They struggle to attain work-life balance in their busy schedules.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys attaining inner peace through meditation.

They recommend attaining a healthy work-life balance.

I am considering attaining a higher level of education.

She avoids attaining negative emotions by practicing mindfulness.

Can you imagine attaining your wildest dreams?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to attain financial freedom. I would like attaining financial freedom.

They started to attain their fitness goals. They started attaining their fitness goals.

He began to attain success in his career. He began attaining success in his career.