To Contend vs Contending 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 contend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to contend in the upcoming tournament.

Contending (Gerund)

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

Example

Contending in the competition is challenging but rewarding.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To contend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To contend requires skill and determination.

  To contend requires skill and determination.

  • "*To contend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and determination).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to contend in the race.

  He wants me to contend in the race.

  • "Me *to contend* in the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to contend* in the race).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strong team to contend for the championship.

  We need a strong team to contend for the championship.

  • "*To contend* for the championship" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong team *to contend* for the championship).

Contending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Contending requires practice and perseverance.

  Contending requires practice and perseverance.

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

  I enjoy contending against strong opponents.

  I enjoy contending against strong opponents.

  • "*Contending* against strong opponents" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*contending* against strong opponents).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for contending in endurance races.

  She has a passion for contending in endurance races.

  • "For *contending* in endurance races" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *contending* in endurance races).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• determine
• choose

Example

They hope to contend for the title this season.

She wants to contend in the high jump event.

We decided to contend in the doubles category.

He determined to contend in all three races.

They chose to contend in the marathon.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• understand

Example

He enjoys contending in chess tournaments.

They recommend regular contending for mental sharpness.

She avoids contending with negative people.

Can you imagine yourself contending for the championship?

I understand the importance of contending with integrity.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to contend in team sports. They like contending in team sports.

He started to contend professionally. He started contending professionally.

She began to contend at a young age. She began contending at a young age.