To Attend vs Attending 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 attend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to attend the conference to learn new skills.

Attending (Gerund)

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

Example

Attending networking events is beneficial for career growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To attend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To attend the meeting is important for all employees.

  To attend the meeting is important for all employees.

  • "*To attend* the meeting" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for all employees).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to attend the event with her.

  She wants me to attend the event with her.

  • "Me *to attend* the event with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to attend* the event with her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a ticket to attend the concert.

  I need a ticket to attend the concert.

  • "*To attend* the concert" modifies the noun "ticket."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ticket *to attend* the concert).

Attending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Attending meetings is necessary for effective communication.

  Attending meetings is necessary for effective communication.

  • "*Attending* meetings" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy attending workshops and seminars.

  I enjoy attending workshops and seminars.

  • "*Attending* workshops and seminars" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*attending* workshops and seminars).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for attending conferences and conventions.

  She has a passion for attending conferences and conventions.

  • "For *attending* conferences and conventions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *attending* conferences and conventions).

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 attend the seminar next week.

They hope to attend the workshop for professional development.

He wants to attend the training session.

We decided to attend the lecture on entrepreneurship.

They agreed to attend the conference together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys attending networking events to expand her contacts.

They recommend regular attending of industry conferences for networking opportunities.

I dislike the idea of attending long meetings.

He avoids attending social gatherings.

Can you imagine yourself attending a prestigious awards ceremony?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to attend workshops and seminars. She likes attending workshops and seminars.

We started to attend weekly team meetings. We started attending weekly team meetings.

He began to attend yoga classes. He began attending yoga classes.