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 provide delicious 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 lucrative business opportunity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cater (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cater is a challenging job that requires excellent organizational skills.

  To cater is a challenging job that requires excellent organizational skills.

  • "*To cater*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging job that requires excellent organizational skills).
• 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 careful planning and attention to detail.

  Catering requires careful planning and attention to detail.

  • "*Catering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and attention to detail).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy catering events for my clients.

  I enjoy catering events for my clients.

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

  She has a passion for catering to diverse culinary preferences.

  She has a passion for catering to diverse culinary preferences.

  • "For *catering* to diverse culinary preferences" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *catering* to diverse culinary preferences).

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 a corporate event next month.

They hope to cater their friend's birthday party.

He wants to cater a romantic dinner for his partner.

We decided to cater the charity gala.

They agreed to cater the wedding reception together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys catering for large gatherings.

They recommend hiring a professional for catering your event.

I dislike the stress of catering multiple events in a day.

He avoids catering for clients 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 intimate parties. She likes catering intimate parties.

We started to cater for local businesses. We started catering for local businesses.

He began to cater high-profile events. He began catering high-profile events.