To Campaign vs Campaigning 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 campaign (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to campaign for social justice.

Campaigning (Gerund)

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

Example

Campaigning requires dedication and perseverance.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To campaign (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To campaign is an effective way to bring about change.

  To campaign is an effective way to bring about change.

  • "*To campaign*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an effective way to bring about change).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to campaign for her in the election.

  She wants me to campaign for her in the election.

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

  I need a platform to campaign on.

  I need a platform to campaign on.

  • "*To campaign* on" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to campaign* on).

Campaigning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Campaigning is a challenging but rewarding experience.

  Campaigning is a challenging but rewarding experience.

  • "*Campaigning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging but rewarding experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy campaigning for human rights.

  I enjoy campaigning for human rights.

  • "*Campaigning* for human rights" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*campaigning* for human rights).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for campaigning against injustice.

  She has a passion for campaigning against injustice.

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

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

She plans to campaign for equal rights next year.

They hope to campaign for environmental protection in their community.

He wants to campaign for better healthcare.

We decided to campaign for educational reform.

They agreed to campaign against discrimination together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys campaigning for social causes every weekend.

They recommend active campaigning for political change.

I dislike the idea of negative campaigning during elections.

He avoids campaigning in areas with low voter turnout.

Can you imagine yourself campaigning for equal rights?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to campaign for animal welfare. She likes campaigning for animal welfare.

We started to campaign for climate action. We started campaigning for climate action.

He began to campaign for gender equality. He began campaigning for gender equality.