To Become vs Becoming 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 become (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to become a doctor when I grow up.

Becoming (Gerund)

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

Example

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To become (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To become a successful entrepreneur requires hard work and dedication.

  To become a successful entrepreneur requires hard work and dedication.

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

  She wants me to become her business partner.

  She wants me to become her business partner.

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

  I need a mentor to become better at my craft.

  I need a mentor to become better at my craft.

  • "*To become* better at my craft" modifies the noun "mentor."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mentor *to become* better at my craft).

Becoming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Becoming a teacher requires a lot of patience and empathy.

  Becoming a teacher requires a lot of patience and empathy.

  • "*Becoming* a teacher" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of patience and empathy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy becoming a better version of myself every day.

  I enjoy becoming a better version of myself every day.

  • "*Becoming* a better version of myself" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*becoming* a better version of myself).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for becoming an advocate for social justice.

  She has a passion for becoming an advocate for social justice.

  • "For *becoming* an advocate for social justice" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *becoming* an advocate for social justice).

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

He plans to become a professional athlete in the future.

They hope to become successful in their chosen careers.

She wants to become fluent in French.

We decided to become vegan for ethical reasons.

They agreed to become business partners.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys becoming a better cook through practice.

They recommend becoming involved in community service for personal growth.

I dislike the idea of becoming a public speaker.

She avoids becoming overwhelmed by setting boundaries.

Can you imagine becoming a famous actor someday?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to become a better version of myself. I like becoming a better version of myself.

They started to become more environmentally conscious. They started becoming more environmentally conscious.

He began to become more confident in his abilities. He began becoming more confident in his abilities.