To Be Seen vs Being seen 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 be seen (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to be seen at the party tonight.

Being seen (Gerund)

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

Example

Being seen in public can have an impact on your reputation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To be seen (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To be seen is important for building a personal brand.

  To be seen is important for building a personal brand.

  • "*To be seen*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for building a personal brand).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to be seen with her at the event.

  She wants me to be seen with her at the event.

  • "Me *to be seen* with her at the event" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to be seen* with her at the event).
• 3. Adverbial Modifier

  He went to the party to be seen by influential people.

  He went to the party to be seen by influential people.

  • "*To be seen*" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing the purpose of going to the party.
  • Noun (He) + verb (went) + infinitive phrase (to be seen) + adverbial phrase (by influential people).

Being seen (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Being seen with influential people can boost your career.

  Being seen with influential people can boost your career.

  • "*Being seen* with influential people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (boost your career).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy being seen at social gatherings.

  I enjoy being seen at social gatherings.

  • "*Being seen* at social gatherings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*being seen* at social gatherings).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of being seen in public.

  She has a fear of being seen in public.

  • "Of *being seen* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *being seen* in public).

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

• hope
• plan
• want
• choose
• decide

Example

They hope to be seen at the award ceremony.

She plans to be seen at all the social events this week.

He wants to be seen as a successful entrepreneur.

We chose to be seen in our best outfits at the gala.

They decided to be seen in the front row of the concert.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids being seen with controversial figures.

They are considering being seen as industry leaders.

Experts recommend being seen as an active participant in your community.

Can you imagine being seen as a celebrity?

I don't mind being seen in public places.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to be seen at exclusive events. She likes being seen at exclusive events.

We started to be seen together more often. We started being seen together more often.

He began to be seen as a fashion icon. He began being seen as a fashion icon.