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 conferences can broaden your network.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To attend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To attend is important for your professional development.

  To attend is important for your professional development.

  • "*To attend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for your professional development).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to attend the meeting with her.

  She wants me to attend the meeting with her.

  • "Me *to attend* the meeting with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to attend* the meeting 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 social events is not her cup of tea.

  Attending social events is not her cup of tea.

  • "*Attending* social events" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not her cup of tea).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy attending workshops to expand my knowledge.

  I enjoy attending workshops to expand my knowledge.

  • "*Attending* workshops to expand my knowledge" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*attending* workshops to expand my knowledge).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for attending cultural events.

  She has a passion for attending cultural events.

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

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 to gain new knowledge.

He wants to attend the training session for personal growth.

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 for professional connections.

They recommend regular attending of industry conferences for career growth.

I dislike the idea of attending crowded gatherings.

He avoids attending meetings that are not relevant to his work.

Can you imagine yourself attending international conferences as a keynote speaker?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to attend seminars on personal development. She likes attending seminars on personal development.

We started to attend yoga classes for relaxation. We started attending yoga classes for relaxation.

He began to attend art workshops to enhance his creativity. He began attending art workshops to enhance his creativity.