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To Believe vs Believing 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 believe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to believe in the power of positivity.

Believing (Gerund)

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

Example

Believing in oneself is the first step towards success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To believe (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To believe is important for personal growth.

    To believe is important for personal growth.

    • "*To believe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for personal growth).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to believe in her abilities.

    She wants me to believe in her abilities.

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

    We need a leader to believe in our team.

    We need a leader to believe in our team.

    • "*To believe* in our team" modifies the noun "leader."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to believe* in our team).

Believing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Believing in yourself is key to building self-confidence.

    Believing in yourself is key to building self-confidence.

    • "*Believing* in yourself" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (key to building self-confidence).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy believing in the power of positivity.

    I enjoy believing in the power of positivity.

    • "*Believing* in the power of positivity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*believing* in the power of positivity).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for believing in the potential of others.

    She has a passion for believing in the potential of others.

    • "For *believing* in the potential of others" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *believing* in the potential of others).

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

They hope to believe in themselves and achieve their dreams.

He decided to believe in the power of forgiveness.

She chose to believe in the goodness of people.

We wish to believe in a better future.

They struggle to believe in their own abilities.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy believing in the beauty of life.

I recommend believing in yourself and your abilities.

He avoids believing in negative thoughts and self-doubt.

Can you imagine believing in the impossible?

She understands the importance of believing in one's dreams.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I like to believe in the power of love. I like believing in the power of love.

They started to believe in themselves. They started believing in themselves.

He began to believe in the magic of possibilities. He began believing in the magic of possibilities.

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