To Crowd vs Crowding 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 crowd (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to crowd into the small room.

Crowding (Gerund)

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

Example

Crowding can be uncomfortable and inconvenient.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To crowd (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To crowd is not advisable in a pandemic situation.

  To crowd is not advisable in a pandemic situation.

  • "*To crowd*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not advisable in a pandemic situation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to crowd into the elevator with her.

  She wants me to crowd into the elevator with her.

  • "Me *to crowd* into the elevator with her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to crowd* into the elevator with her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a larger space to crowd everyone in.

  I need a larger space to crowd everyone in.

  • "*To crowd* everyone in" modifies the noun "space."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a larger space *to crowd* everyone in).

Crowding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Crowding in public transport is a common issue.

  Crowding in public transport is a common issue.

  • "*Crowding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common issue).
• 2. Object

  I dislike crowding into small spaces.

  I dislike crowding into small spaces.

  • "*Crowding* into small spaces" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*crowding* into small spaces).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of crowding in crowded places.

  She has a fear of crowding in crowded places.

  • "Of *crowding* in crowded places" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *crowding* in crowded places).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• wish
• pretend

Example

They refuse to crowd in the concert hall.

He attempted to crowd through the narrow passage.

We demand to crowd together for the group photo.

She wishes to crowd near the stage during the performance.

They pretended to crowd around the celebrity for a photo.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• mind
• consider
• recommend
• imagine

Example

He avoids crowding in busy areas.

Do you mind crowding with strangers in the elevator?

They consider crowding as a safety concern.

I recommend avoiding crowding during peak hours.

Can you imagine crowding in a tiny room with no ventilation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to crowd at concerts. I like crowding at concerts.

We started to crowd around the street performer. We started crowding around the street performer.

He began to crowd into the store for the sale. He began crowding into the store for the sale.