To Bear vs Bearing 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 bear (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to bear the weight of my responsibilities.

Bearing (Gerund)

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

Example

Bearing the load can be physically challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bear (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To bear is a natural instinct for mothers.

  To bear is a natural instinct for mothers.

  • "*To bear*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural instinct for mothers).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to bear the burden of her secrets.

  She wants me to bear the burden of her secrets.

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

  I need a strong support system to bear the weight of my challenges.

  I need a strong support system to bear the weight of my challenges.

  • "*To bear* the weight of my challenges" modifies the noun "support system."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong support system *to bear* the weight of my challenges).

Bearing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Bearing the consequences of our actions is important.

  Bearing the consequences of our actions is important.

  • "*Bearing* the consequences of our actions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy bearing the weight in the gym.

  I enjoy bearing the weight in the gym.

  • "*Bearing* the weight in the gym" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bearing* the weight in the gym).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for bearing difficult situations.

  She has a talent for bearing difficult situations.

  • "For *bearing* difficult situations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bearing* difficult situations).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• refuse
• attempt

Example

She decided to bear the pain and keep going.

They hope to bear good news soon.

He wants to bear the responsibility on his own.

We refused to bear the blame for something we didn't do.

They attempted to bear the burden together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• resist

Example

They recommend regular bearing of weights for muscle growth.

He avoids bearing unnecessary stress.

I am considering bearing the responsibility for this project.

Let's postpone bearing the burden until tomorrow.

She resisted bearing the pain and kept fighting.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to bear her own burdens. She likes bearing heavy loads.

We started to bear the weight of our mistakes. We started bearing the consequences of our actions.

He began to bear the emotional strain. He began bearing the emotional strain.