To Converse vs Conversing 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 converse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to converse with him to resolve the issue.

Conversing (Gerund)

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

Example

Conversing with people from different cultures can broaden your perspective.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To converse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To converse is an important skill for effective communication.

  To converse is an important skill for effective communication.

  • "*To converse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to converse with her about the project.

  She wants me to converse with her about the project.

  • "Me *to converse* with her about the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to converse* with her about the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a quiet place to converse with my clients.

  I need a quiet place to converse with my clients.

  • "*To converse* with my clients" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to converse* with my clients).

Conversing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Conversing with others is a great way to build relationships.

  Conversing with others is a great way to build relationships.

  • "*Conversing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to build relationships).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy conversing with my friends about various topics.

  I enjoy conversing with my friends about various topics.

  • "*Conversing* with my friends about various topics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*conversing* with my friends about various topics).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for conversing with strangers.

  She has a talent for conversing with strangers.

  • "For *conversing* with strangers" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *conversing* with strangers).

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

• agree
• plan
• want
• decide
• attempt

Example

They agreed to converse privately about the matter.

We plan to converse with the team before making a decision.

He wants to converse with you regarding the proposal.

She decided to converse with the expert for guidance.

I attempted to converse in a foreign language.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

They enjoy conversing with each other during their coffee breaks.

Experts recommend regular conversing in a foreign language to improve fluency.

He avoids conversing with negative people.

Can you imagine yourself conversing with celebrities?

I don't mind conversing with new acquaintances.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to converse with intelligent individuals. She likes conversing with intelligent individuals.

We started to converse in English when we moved to a new country. We started conversing in English when we moved to a new country.

He began to converse more confidently after attending public speaking classes. He began conversing more confidently after attending public speaking classes.