To Begin vs Beginning 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 begin (Infinitive)

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

Example

He has begun to swim every morning.

Beginning (Gerund)

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

Example

Beginning is the hardest part of any new activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To begin (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To begin is the first step in learning how to swim.

  To begin is the first step in learning how to swim.

  • "*To begin*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step in learning how to swim).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to begin swimming lessons.

  She wants him to begin swimming lessons.

  • "Him *to begin* swimming lessons" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to begin* swimming lessons).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a pool to begin practicing my strokes.

  I need a pool to begin practicing my strokes.

  • "*To begin* practicing my strokes" modifies the noun "pool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pool *to begin* practicing my strokes).

Beginning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Beginning a new sport can be challenging.

  Beginning a new sport can be challenging.

  • "*Beginning* a new sport" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy beginning each swim practice with a warm-up.

  I enjoy beginning each swim practice with a warm-up.

  • "*Beginning* each swim practice with a warm-up" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*beginning* each swim practice with a warm-up).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for beginning new swimming techniques.

  She has a passion for beginning new swimming techniques.

  • "For *beginning* new swimming techniques" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *beginning* new swimming techniques).

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

They have planned to begin swimming in the ocean next month.

I hope to begin swimming competitively next year.

We want to begin swimming in the new pool.

He decided to begin swimming lessons this summer.

She agreed to begin swimming with her friends.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy beginning their day with a swim.

Experts recommend beginning swimming lessons at a young age.

I dislike beginning my swim workout with a cold shower.

He avoids beginning his swim in deep water.

Can you imagine beginning your swimming career at the Olympics?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to begin her swim with a warm-up. She likes beginning her swim with a warm-up.

We started to begin our swimming routine. We started beginning our swimming routine.

He began to begin swimming lessons. He began beginning swimming lessons.