To Catch vs Catching 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 catch (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to catch a ball thrown by the pitcher.

Catching (Gerund)

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

Example

Catching fireflies is a fun summer activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To catch (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To catch a fish requires patience and skill.

  To catch a fish requires patience and skill.

  • "*To catch* a fish" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to catch the train.

  She wants me to catch the train.

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

  He needs a net to catch butterflies.

  He needs a net to catch butterflies.

  • "*To catch* butterflies" modifies the noun "net."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a net *to catch* butterflies).

Catching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Catching a ball requires good hand-eye coordination.

  Catching a ball requires good hand-eye coordination.

  • "*Catching* a ball" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good hand-eye coordination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy catching butterflies in the garden.

  I enjoy catching butterflies in the garden.

  • "*Catching* butterflies in the garden" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*catching* butterflies in the garden).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for catching fish.

  She has a talent for catching fish.

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

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• refuse
• choose

Example

They hope to catch a glimpse of the rare bird during their hike.

He wants to catch the ball in his glove.

We decided to catch a movie at the theater tonight.

She refused to catch the bouquet at the wedding.

They chose to catch the early flight for their vacation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys catching waves while surfing.

They avoid catching a cold during flu season.

The doctor recommends catching up on sleep for better health.

I am considering catching a flight to visit my family.

Can you imagine catching a shooting star?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to catch butterflies in the park. She likes catching butterflies in the park.

We started to catch fish in the river. We started catching fish in the river.

He began to catch the ball with his bare hands. He began catching the ball with his bare hands.