To Cope vs Coping 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 cope (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to cope with the stress of my job.

Coping (Gerund)

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

Example

Coping with stress requires effective strategies.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cope (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cope is essential for maintaining mental health.

  To cope is essential for maintaining mental health.

  • "*To cope*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for maintaining mental health).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cope with the difficult situation.

  She wants me to cope with the difficult situation.

  • "Me *to cope* with the difficult situation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to cope* with the difficult situation).
• 3. Adverbial Modifier

  I need some strategies to cope effectively with stress.

  I need some strategies to cope effectively with stress.

  • "*To cope* effectively with stress" modifies the noun "strategies."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (some strategies *to cope* effectively with stress).

Coping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coping with change can be challenging.

  Coping with change can be challenging.

  • "*Coping* with change" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy coping with difficult situations.

  I enjoy coping with difficult situations.

  • "*Coping* with difficult situations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*coping* with difficult situations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for coping with stress.

  She has a knack for coping with stress.

  • "For *coping* with stress" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *coping* with stress).

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 cope with the workload by prioritizing tasks.

They hope to cope with the pressure of the competition.

He wants to cope with the challenges in his personal life.

We decided to cope with the loss together.

They agreed to cope with the changes in the organization.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys coping with challenges at work.

They recommend regular exercise as a way of coping with stress.

I dislike the idea of coping with uncertainty.

He avoids coping with difficult emotions.

Can you imagine yourself coping with a high-pressure situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to cope with stress through meditation. She likes coping with stress through meditation.

We started to cope with the situation by seeking professional help. We started coping with the situation by seeking professional help.

He began to cope with anxiety using relaxation techniques. He began coping with anxiety using relaxation techniques.