To Cater vs Catering 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 cater (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to cater the event to make sure everyone enjoys the food.

Catering (Gerund)

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

Example

Catering is a rewarding career for those who love to cook and serve others.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cater (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cater is a demanding job that requires attention to detail.

  To cater is a demanding job that requires attention to detail.

  • "*To cater*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a demanding job that requires attention to detail).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cater her wedding reception.

  She wants me to cater her wedding reception.

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

  I need a professional chef to cater the event.

  I need a professional chef to cater the event.

  • "*To cater* the event" modifies the noun "professional chef."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a professional chef *to cater* the event).

Catering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Catering requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure.

  Catering requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure.

  • "*Catering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (excellent organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy catering events for large groups of people.

  I enjoy catering events for large groups of people.

  • "*Catering* events for large groups of people" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*catering* events for large groups of people).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for catering weddings.

  She has a talent for catering weddings.

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

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 cater the party with a variety of delicious dishes.

They hope to cater a successful corporate event.

He wants to cater a special dinner for his family.

We decided to cater the wedding ourselves.

They agreed to cater the charity fundraiser.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys catering intimate dinner parties.

They recommend professional catering for important events.

I dislike the idea of catering large weddings.

He avoids catering events with dietary restrictions.

Can you imagine yourself catering a celebrity wedding?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to cater elegant parties. She likes catering elegant parties.

We started to cater professionally. We started catering professionally.

He began to cater for small gatherings. He began catering for small gatherings.