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To Cook vs Cooking Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To cook (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to cook a delicious meal for my family.

Cooking (Gerund)

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

Example

Cooking is a creative outlet for many people.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cook (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To cook requires patience and skill.

    To cook requires patience and skill.

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

    She wants me to cook dinner tonight.

    She wants me to cook dinner tonight.

    • "Me *to cook* dinner tonight" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to cook* dinner tonight).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a good knife to cook with.

    I need a good knife to cook with.

    • "*To cook* with" modifies the noun "knife."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good knife *to cook* with).

Cooking (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Cooking can be a therapeutic activity.

    Cooking can be a therapeutic activity.

    • "*Cooking*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a therapeutic activity).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy cooking for my friends.

    I enjoy cooking for my friends.

    • "*Cooking* for my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*cooking* for my friends).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for cooking.

    She has a passion for cooking.

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

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

Example

He plans to cook a special meal for his anniversary.

They hope to cook together during the weekend.

She wants to cook a healthy dinner.

We decided to cook Italian food for the party.

They agreed to cook dinner for the whole family.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys cooking different cuisines.

They recommend trying new techniques when cooking.

I dislike the process of cooking complicated recipes.

She avoids cooking spicy food.

Can you imagine yourself cooking gourmet meals?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to cook traditional dishes. She likes cooking traditional dishes.

We started to cook together as a hobby. We started cooking together as a hobby.

He began to cook professionally. He began cooking professionally.

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