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To Beg vs Begging 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 beg (Infinitive)

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

Example

He wants to beg for forgiveness.

Begging (Gerund)

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

Example

Begging is a common practice among the homeless.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To beg (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To beg is a desperate act of pleading for help.

    To beg is a desperate act of pleading for help.

    • "*To beg*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a desperate act of pleading for help).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to beg her parents for permission.

    She wants me to beg her parents for permission.

    • "Me *to beg* her parents for permission" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to beg* her parents for permission).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a chance to beg for forgiveness.

    I need a chance to beg for forgiveness.

    • "*To beg* for forgiveness" modifies the noun "chance."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a chance *to beg* for forgiveness).

Begging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Begging is seen as a form of survival for some people.

    Begging is seen as a form of survival for some people.

    • "*Begging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of survival for some people).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy begging for spare change.

    I enjoy begging for spare change.

    • "*Begging* for spare change" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*begging* for spare change).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of begging in public.

    She has a fear of begging in public.

    • "Of *begging* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *begging* in public).

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 decided to beg for mercy.

They attempted to beg for their lives.

He refused to beg for help.

We pretended to beg for food.

They learned to beg on the streets.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids begging in crowded areas.

They consider begging a last resort.

I recommend against begging for money.

Can you imagine yourself begging on the streets?

She resisted begging for help.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

He likes to beg for attention. He likes begging for attention.

They started to beg for food. They started begging for food.

She began to beg for forgiveness. She began begging for forgiveness.

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