To Cram vs Cramming 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 cram (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to cram for the exam to improve my grades.

Cramming (Gerund)

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

Example

Cramming is not a recommended study method.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cram (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cram is not an effective study strategy.

  To cram is not an effective study strategy.

  • "*To cram*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not an effective study strategy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cram all the information in one night.

  She wants me to cram all the information in one night.

  • "Me *to cram* all the information in one night" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to cram* all the information in one night).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a quiet environment to cram for the test.

  I need a quiet environment to cram for the test.

  • "*To cram* for the test" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to cram* for the test).

Cramming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Cramming often leads to poor retention of information.

  Cramming often leads to poor retention of information.

  • "*Cramming*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (often leads to) + adjective phrase (poor retention of information).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy cramming for exams at the last minute.

  I enjoy cramming for exams at the last minute.

  • "*Cramming* for exams at the last minute" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*cramming* for exams at the last minute).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of cramming before important tests.

  She has a habit of cramming before important tests.

  • "Of *cramming* before important tests" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *cramming* before important tests).

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 cram for the exam tonight.

They hope to cram all the information before the deadline.

He wants to cram as much as possible before the quiz.

We decided to cram the night before the presentation.

They agreed to cram together for the final exam.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys cramming with friends before exams.

They recommend avoiding last-minute cramming for better understanding.

I dislike the stress that comes with cramming for exams.

He avoids cramming by studying consistently throughout the semester.

Can you imagine cramming all the material in just one day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to cram all the information in one sitting. She likes cramming late at night.

We started to cram for the test the night before. We started cramming as the exam date approached.

He began to cram for the exam after realizing how much content he had to cover. He began cramming intensively as the deadline neared.