To Behave vs Behaving 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 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 appropriately is crucial in professional settings.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To behave (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To behave is important in a classroom setting.

  To behave is important in a classroom setting.

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

  She wants her child to behave at the family gathering.

  She wants her child to behave at the family gathering.

  • "Her child *to behave* at the family gathering" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + possessive pronoun (her) + noun phrase (child *to behave* at the family gathering).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a disciplinary action to behave properly.

  He needs a disciplinary action to behave properly.

  • "*To behave* properly" modifies the noun "disciplinary action."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a disciplinary action *to behave* properly).

Behaving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Behaving professionally is essential for career success.

  Behaving professionally is essential for career success.

  • "*Behaving* professionally" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for career success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy watching children behaving well-behaved in public places.

  I enjoy watching children behaving well-behaved in public places.

  • "Watching children *behaving* well-behaved in public places" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (watching children *behaving* well-behaved in public places).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of others behaving inappropriately.

  She has a fear of others behaving inappropriately.

  • "Of others *behaving* inappropriately" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of others *behaving* inappropriately).

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
• refuse
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to behave at the formal event tonight.

She refused to behave during the meeting.

He wants his dog to behave around guests.

We decided to behave at the restaurant to avoid any issues.

They agreed to behave during the school assembly.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• suggest
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys watching animals behaving in their natural habitats.

They suggest behaving politely in social situations.

I am considering behaving more assertively in my job.

She avoids behaving rudely towards others.

Can you imagine yourself behaving like a child again?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to behave in a disciplined manner. They like behaving in a disciplined manner.

We started to behave better after the incident. We started behaving better after the incident.

He began to behave differently in social settings. He began behaving differently in social settings.