To Cite vs Citing 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 cite (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to cite my sources in my research paper.

Citing (Gerund)

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

Example

Citing your sources is essential for academic integrity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cite (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cite is an important part of academic writing.

  To cite is an important part of academic writing.

  • "*To cite*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of academic writing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cite her work in my presentation.

  She wants me to cite her work in my presentation.

  • "Me *to cite* her work in my presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to cite* her work in my presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reliable source to cite in my argument.

  I need a reliable source to cite in my argument.

  • "*To cite* in my argument" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to cite* in my argument).

Citing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Citing is a necessary skill for academic writers.

  Citing is a necessary skill for academic writers.

  • "*Citing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary skill for academic writers).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy citing different authors in my literature review.

  I enjoy citing different authors in my literature review.

  • "*Citing* different authors in my literature review" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*citing* different authors in my literature review).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for citing relevant studies.

  She has a passion for citing relevant studies.

  • "For *citing* relevant studies" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *citing* relevant studies).

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 cite several references in her thesis.

They hope to cite recent studies in their report.

He wants to cite multiple sources in his article.

We decided to cite the author's name in our paper.

They agreed to cite the research findings in their presentation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys citing research papers on various topics.

They recommend citing primary sources for accurate information.

I avoid citing outdated references in my work.

He is considering citing the author's previous work.

Can you imagine citing your own research in a published paper?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to cite examples from reputable sources. She likes citing examples from reputable sources.

We started to cite scholarly articles in our research. We started citing scholarly articles in our research.

He began to cite statistics to support his argument. He began citing statistics to support his argument.