Help center

To Behave vs Behaving Infinitives & Gerunds

📝

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 behave (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to behave at the party tonight.

Behaving (Gerund)

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

Example

Behaving properly is a sign of good manners.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To behave (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To behave is important in a professional setting.

    To behave is important in a professional setting.

    • "*To behave*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in a professional setting).
  • 2Object

    She wants her children to behave at the restaurant.

    She wants her children to behave at the restaurant.

    • "Her children *to behave* at the restaurant" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + possessive pronoun (her) + noun phrase (children *to behave* at the restaurant).
  • 3Adverbial Modifier

    He tries his best to behave well in class.

    He tries his best to behave well in class.

    • "*To behave* well in class" modifies the verb "tries."
    • Noun (He) + verb (tries) + possessive pronoun (his) + adverb phrase (*to behave* well in class).

Behaving (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Behaving politely is always appreciated.

    Behaving politely is always appreciated.

    • "*Behaving* politely" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverb phrase (always appreciated).
  • 2Object

    She enjoys behaving graciously towards others.

    She enjoys behaving graciously towards others.

    • "*Behaving* graciously towards others" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
    • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*behaving* graciously towards others).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He apologized for behaving rudely.

    He apologized for behaving rudely.

    • "For *behaving* rudely" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*behaving* rudely).

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 behave appropriately during the meeting.

They want their guests to behave respectfully at the event.

We decided to behave more responsibly in our actions.

They agreed to behave professionally at all times.

He refused to behave dishonestly in the negotiation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy behaving generously towards others.

I avoid behaving impulsively in stressful situations.

We are considering behaving more ethically in our business practices.

He recommends behaving professionally in the workplace.

Can you imagine behaving like that in public?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to behave appropriately in social gatherings. She likes behaving appropriately in social gatherings.

We started to behave more responsibly in our daily lives. We started behaving more responsibly in our daily lives.

He began to behave more courteously towards others. He began behaving more courteously towards others.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!