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To Bowl vs Bowling 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 bowl (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to bowl a strike in the bowling alley.

Bowling (Gerund)

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

Example

Bowling is a popular recreational activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bowl (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To bowl requires skill and practice.

    To bowl requires skill and practice.

    • "*To bowl*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and practice).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to bowl in the tournament.

    She wants me to bowl in the tournament.

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

    I need a bowling ball to bowl strikes.

    I need a bowling ball to bowl strikes.

    • "*To bowl* strikes" modifies the noun "bowling ball."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bowling ball *to bowl* strikes).

Bowling (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Bowling requires accuracy and coordination.

    Bowling requires accuracy and coordination.

    • "*Bowling*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (accuracy and coordination).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy bowling with my friends on weekends.

    I enjoy bowling with my friends on weekends.

    • "*Bowling* with my friends on weekends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bowling* with my friends on weekends).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for bowling.

    She has a passion for bowling.

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

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

He plans to bowl with his friends on Friday night.

They hope to bowl a perfect game someday.

She wants to bowl in the professional league.

We decided to bowl at the new bowling alley.

They agreed to bowl in the charity tournament together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys bowling in different bowling alleys.

They recommend regular bowling for social interaction.

I dislike the idea of bowling with heavy bowling balls.

She avoids bowling during peak hours.

Can you imagine yourself bowling a perfect game?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

He likes to bowl in the local bowling league. He likes bowling with his friends every week.

We started to bowl competitively. We started bowling competitively.

She began to bowl strikes consistently. She began bowling strikes consistently.

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