To Counsel vs Counseling 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 counsel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to counsel people and help them overcome their challenges.

Counseling (Gerund)

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

Example

Counseling can provide valuable support during difficult times.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To counsel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To counsel is a rewarding profession.

  To counsel is a rewarding profession.

  • "*To counsel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a rewarding profession).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to counsel her on career choices.

  She wants me to counsel her on career choices.

  • "Me *to counsel* her on career choices" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to counsel* her on career choices).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a qualified professional to counsel him.

  He needs a qualified professional to counsel him.

  • "*To counsel* him" modifies the noun "qualified professional."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a qualified professional *to counsel* him).

Counseling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Counseling is an effective way to address emotional challenges.

  Counseling is an effective way to address emotional challenges.

  • "*Counseling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an effective way to address emotional challenges).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy counseling people and helping them find solutions.

  I enjoy counseling people and helping them find solutions.

  • "*Counseling* people and helping them find solutions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*counseling* people and helping them find solutions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for counseling individuals in crisis.

  She has a passion for counseling individuals in crisis.

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

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
• plan
• want
• decide
• determine

Example

They hope to counsel individuals in need of guidance.

She plans to counsel couples in marriage therapy.

He wants to counsel troubled teenagers.

We decided to counsel families dealing with addiction.

They determined to counsel individuals with mental health issues.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• mind
• resist

Example

They recommend seeking professional counseling for mental health concerns.

I am considering pursuing a career in counseling.

He avoids discussing personal matters during counseling sessions.

Do you mind counseling couples with relationship issues?

She resists the idea of counseling individuals with addiction problems.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to counsel individuals facing challenges in their lives. She likes counseling individuals facing challenges in their lives.

We began to counsel clients at the community center. We began counseling clients at the community center.

He continues to counsel students at the university. He continues counseling students at the university.