To Climb vs Climbing 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 climb (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to climb Mount Everest one day.

Climbing (Gerund)

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

Example

Climbing mountains is a thrilling adventure.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To climb (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To climb requires strength and endurance.

  To climb requires strength and endurance.

  • "*To climb*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and endurance).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to climb the rock wall with her.

  She wants me to climb the rock wall with her.

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

  I need a sturdy ladder to climb the tree.

  I need a sturdy ladder to climb the tree.

  • "*To climb* the tree" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy ladder *to climb* the tree).

Climbing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Climbing requires physical fitness and mental focus.

  Climbing requires physical fitness and mental focus.

  • "*Climbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (physical fitness and mental focus).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy climbing challenging rock formations.

  I enjoy climbing challenging rock formations.

  • "*Climbing* challenging rock formations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*climbing* challenging rock formations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for climbing tall buildings.

  He has a passion for climbing tall buildings.

  • "For *climbing* tall buildings" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *climbing* tall buildings).

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

He plans to climb the mountain next summer.

We hope to climb the highest peak in the region.

She wants to climb a challenging rock face.

They decided to climb the steep cliff.

The team agreed to climb the treacherous mountain together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy climbing in the mountains during their vacations.

Experts recommend regular climbing for improving strength and flexibility.

She dislikes the idea of climbing in extreme weather conditions.

I avoid climbing high altitudes without proper training.

Can you imagine yourself climbing Mount Kilimanjaro?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to climb challenging rock walls. He likes climbing challenging rock walls.

We started to climb mountains as a hobby. We started climbing mountains as a hobby.

She began to climb trees at a young age. She began climbing trees at a young age.