To Commit vs Committing 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 commit (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to commit to this project and give it my best effort.

Committing (Gerund)

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

Example

Committing to your goals is the first step towards achieving them.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To commit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To commit is crucial for success in any endeavor.

  To commit is crucial for success in any endeavor.

  • "*To commit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (crucial) + prepositional phrase (for success in any endeavor).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to commit to attending the meeting.

  She wants me to commit to attending the meeting.

  • "Me *to commit* to attending the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to commit* to attending the meeting).
• 3. Adverb Modifier

  They struggled to commit fully to their fitness routine.

  They struggled to commit fully to their fitness routine.

  • "*To commit* fully" modifies the verb "struggled."
  • Noun (They) + verb (struggled) + infinitive phrase (to commit) + adverb (fully) + prepositional phrase (to their fitness routine).

Committing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Committing requires dedication and perseverance.

  Committing requires dedication and perseverance.

  • "*Committing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and perseverance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy committing to new projects and challenges.

  I enjoy committing to new projects and challenges.

  • "*Committing* to new projects and challenges" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*committing* to new projects and challenges).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of committing to long-term relationships.

  She has a fear of committing to long-term relationships.

  • "Of *committing* to long-term relationships" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *committing* to long-term relationships).

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

• promise
• plan
• refuse
• choose
• demand

Example

He promised to commit to helping with the project.

We plan to commit to a healthier lifestyle.

She refused to commit to the decision without further discussion.

They chose to commit to their dream of starting a business.

The coach demanded to commit to intense training sessions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind

Example

He enjoys committing to creative pursuits in his free time.

They avoid committing to any unnecessary expenses.

I am considering committing to a vegan diet for health reasons.

Experts recommend committing to a regular exercise routine for overall well-being.

Do you mind committing to taking care of the pets while we're away?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• prefer

Example

She likes to commit to her goals and see them through. She likes committing to her goals and seeing them through.

They started to commit to daily meditation for mental clarity. They started committing to daily meditation for mental clarity.

He prefers to commit to a structured schedule. He prefers committing to a structured schedule.