To Concentrate vs Concentrating 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 concentrate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to concentrate on my work to meet the deadline.

Concentrating (Gerund)

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

Example

Concentrating on one task at a time improves productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To concentrate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To concentrate is essential for achieving success.

  To concentrate is essential for achieving success.

  • "*To concentrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (for achieving success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to concentrate on my studies.

  She wants me to concentrate on my studies.

  • "Me *to concentrate* on my studies" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to concentrate* on my studies).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a quiet environment to concentrate effectively.

  He needs a quiet environment to concentrate effectively.

  • "*To concentrate* effectively" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to concentrate* effectively).

Concentrating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Concentrating requires focus and discipline.

  Concentrating requires focus and discipline.

  • "*Concentrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (focus and discipline).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy concentrating on my hobbies.

  I enjoy concentrating on my hobbies.

  • "*Concentrating* on my hobbies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*concentrating* on my hobbies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for concentrating on complex problems.

  She has a talent for concentrating on complex problems.

  • "For *concentrating* on complex problems" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *concentrating* on complex problems).

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

• decide
• plan
• hope
• want
• manage

Example

We decided to concentrate on our strengths.

She plans to concentrate on her breathing during meditation.

They hope to concentrate better in the next exam.

He wants to concentrate on his career development.

I managed to concentrate despite the distractions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• consider

Example

He enjoys concentrating on his breathing during yoga.

They recommend concentrating on the present moment for mindfulness.

I avoid concentrating on negative thoughts.

Do you mind concentrating in a noisy environment?

We are considering concentrating on expanding our business.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to concentrate in a quiet room. She likes concentrating in a quiet room.

He started to concentrate on his breathing techniques. He started concentrating on his breathing techniques.

We began to concentrate on our goals. We began concentrating on our goals.