Cannot Swim vs Not swimming 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!

Cannot swim (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "cannot swim" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I cannot swim because I never learned.

Not swimming (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "not swimming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Not swimming for a long time can lead to muscle atrophy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

Cannot swim (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  Cannot swim is a common fear among many people.

  Cannot swim is a common fear among many people.

  • "*Cannot swim*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common fear among many people).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to teach her how to swim.

  She wants me to teach her how to swim.

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

  I need a pool with shallow water to learn to swim.

  I need a pool with shallow water to learn to swim.

  • "to learn *to swim*" modifies the noun "pool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pool with shallow water to learn *to swim*).

Not swimming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Not swimming regularly can affect your cardiovascular health.

  Not swimming regularly can affect your cardiovascular health.

  • "*Not swimming*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can affect) + noun phrase (your cardiovascular health).
• 2. Object

  I miss not swimming in the summer.

  I miss not swimming in the summer.

  • "*Not swimming* in the summer" is the object of the verb "miss."
  • Noun (I) + verb (miss) + gerund (*not swimming* in the summer).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of not swimming in deep water.

  She has a fear of not swimming in deep water.

  • "Of *not swimming*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *not swimming* in deep water).

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

• try
• refuse
• pretend
• struggle
• wish

Example

He tried to swim in the deep end of the pool, but he panicked.

They refused to swim in the ocean due to safety concerns.

She pretended to swim while floating on a pool noodle.

We struggled to swim against the strong current.

I wish to swim like a dolphin.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• resist
• consider
• recommend
• understand

Example

He avoids not swimming by joining a local swimming club.

They resist not swimming even during the winter months.

I am considering not swimming competitively anymore.

The doctor recommended not swimming until the injury heals.

It is important to understand the risks of not swimming with proper supervision.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to swim in cold water. She doesn't like swimming in cold water.

We started to swim regularly for exercise. We started swimming regularly for exercise.

He began to swim competitively at a young age. He began swimming competitively at a young age.