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To Belong vs Belonging 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 belong (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to belong to a community that shares my interests.

Belonging (Gerund)

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

Example

Belonging to a group provides a sense of identity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To belong (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To belong is a basic human need.

    To belong is a basic human need.

    • "*To belong*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic human need).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to belong to her team.

    She wants me to belong to her team.

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

    I need a group to belong to.

    I need a group to belong to.

    • "*To belong* to" modifies the noun "group."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a group *to belong* to).

Belonging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Belonging is important for mental well-being.

    Belonging is important for mental well-being.

    • "*Belonging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for mental well-being).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy belonging to a supportive community.

    I enjoy belonging to a supportive community.

    • "*Belonging* to a supportive community" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*belonging* to a supportive community).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a sense of belonging in her church.

    She has a sense of belonging in her church.

    • "A sense of *belonging*" is the object of the preposition "in."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a sense of *belonging*).

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 belong to a club next year.

They hope to belong to a supportive community.

He wants to belong to a professional organization.

We decided to belong to the neighborhood association.

They agreed to belong to the same team.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys belonging to a book club.

They recommend finding a sense of belonging in your community.

I dislike the feeling of not belonging in a group.

He avoids situations where he doesn't feel a sense of belonging.

Can you imagine the benefits of belonging to a supportive network?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to belong to a sports team. She likes belonging to a sports team.

We started to belong to a club. We started belonging to a club.

He began to belong to a community organization. He began belonging to a community organization.

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