To Continue vs Continuing 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 continue (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to continue studying to improve my skills.

Continuing (Gerund)

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

Example

Continuing education is important for career growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To continue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To continue is essential for success in any field.

  To continue is essential for success in any field.

  • "*To continue*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for success in any field).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to continue working on the project.

  She wants me to continue working on the project.

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

  I need a break to continue focusing on my goals.

  I need a break to continue focusing on my goals.

  • "*To continue* focusing on my goals" modifies the noun "break."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a break *to continue* focusing on my goals).

Continuing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Continuing education provides opportunities for personal development.

  Continuing education provides opportunities for personal development.

  • "*Continuing* education" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (provides) + noun phrase (opportunities for personal development).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy continuing my studies in psychology.

  I enjoy continuing my studies in psychology.

  • "*Continuing* my studies in psychology" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*continuing* my studies in psychology).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for continuing her research.

  She has a passion for continuing her research.

  • "For *continuing* her research" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *continuing* her research).

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 continue learning French next year.

They hope to continue traveling the world after retirement.

He wants to continue playing soccer at a professional level.

We decided to continue investing in renewable energy.

They agreed to continue supporting the local community.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys continuing her yoga practice every morning.

They recommend continuing regular exercise for overall well-being.

I dislike the idea of continuing with this project.

He avoids continuing the conversation about politics.

Can you imagine yourself continuing to learn new skills throughout your life?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to continue working on challenging projects. She likes continuing to work on challenging projects.

We started to continue our journey towards success. We started continuing our journey towards success.

He began to continue his studies in medicine. He began continuing his studies in medicine.