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 need 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 is important for overall well-being.

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. Adverb Modifier

  He tries his best to cope effectively.

  He tries his best to cope effectively.

  • "*To cope* effectively" modifies the verb "tries."
  • Noun (He) + verb (tries) + adverb phrase (his best *to cope* effectively).

Coping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coping with failure can lead to personal growth.

  Coping with failure can lead to personal growth.

  • "*Coping* with failure" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy coping with challenges in my work.

  I enjoy coping with challenges in my work.

  • "*Coping* with challenges in my work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*coping* with challenges in my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for coping with difficult situations.

  She has a talent for coping with difficult situations.

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

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
• choose
• struggle

Example

They hope to cope with the challenges they face.

She wants to cope with the pressure of her exams.

We decided to cope with the changes in our lives.

He chose to cope with the loss by seeking therapy.

They struggle to cope with their anxiety on a daily basis.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• understand

Example

He enjoys coping with stress through meditation.

Experts recommend healthy ways of coping with grief.

I am considering different strategies for coping with anxiety.

They avoid unhealthy ways of coping with stress.

It is important to understand the process of coping with loss.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to cope with challenges head-on. She likes coping with challenges head-on.

He started to cope with his addiction. He started coping with his addiction.

We began to cope with the loss together. We began coping with the loss together.