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To Bake vs Baking Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To bake (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to bake a cake for my friend's birthday.

Baking (Gerund)

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

Example

Baking is a fun and creative activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bake (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To bake requires precision and patience.

    To bake requires precision and patience.

    • "*To bake*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and patience).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to bake cookies for the party.

    She wants me to bake cookies for the party.

    • "Me *to bake* cookies for the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bake* cookies for the party).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need an oven to bake bread.

    I need an oven to bake bread.

    • "*To bake* bread" modifies the noun "oven."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an oven *to bake* bread).

Baking (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Baking can be a stress-reliever.

    Baking can be a stress-reliever.

    • "*Baking*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a stress-reliever).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy baking cookies for my friends.

    I enjoy baking cookies for my friends.

    • "*Baking* cookies for my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*baking* cookies for my friends).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for baking pastries.

    She has a passion for baking pastries.

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

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

Example

She plans to bake a pie for Thanksgiving.

They hope to bake a batch of brownies this weekend.

He wants to bake his own pizza.

We decided to bake cupcakes for the bake sale.

They agreed to bake a cake together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys baking cakes on the weekends.

They recommend regular baking for stress relief.

I dislike the smell of baking bread.

He avoids baking in a hot kitchen.

Can you imagine yourself baking a fancy dessert?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to bake cookies for her family. She likes baking cookies for her family.

We started to bake together as a hobby. We started baking together as a hobby.

He began to bake his own bread. He began baking his own bread.

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