To Build vs Building 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 build (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to build my own house.

Building (Gerund)

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

Example

Building a house takes time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To build (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To build is a complex process that requires careful planning.

  To build is a complex process that requires careful planning.

  • "*To build*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process that requires careful planning).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to build a bookshelf for her.

  She wants me to build a bookshelf for her.

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

  I need a hammer to build the wooden structure.

  I need a hammer to build the wooden structure.

  • "*To build* the wooden structure" modifies the noun "hammer."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hammer *to build* the wooden structure).

Building (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Building houses is his profession.

  Building houses is his profession.

  • "*Building* houses" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his profession).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy building models of famous landmarks.

  I enjoy building models of famous landmarks.

  • "*Building* models of famous landmarks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*building* models of famous landmarks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for building sustainable homes.

  She has a passion for building sustainable homes.

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

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to build a skyscraper in the city center.

They hope to build their dream home by the beach.

She wants to build a treehouse in the backyard.

We decided to build a garden shed in the backyard.

They agreed to build a playground for the community.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys building sandcastles on the beach.

They recommend using eco-friendly materials when building.

I dislike the idea of building a high-rise building in this area.

She avoids building structures without proper permits.

Can you imagine yourself building your dream home?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to build with LEGO bricks. They like building with LEGO bricks.

He started to build his own furniture. He started building his own furniture.

We began to build a new office space. We began building a new office space.