To Cry vs Crying 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 cry (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to cry to release my emotions.

Crying (Gerund)

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

Example

Crying can be a therapeutic way to release pent-up emotions.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cry (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cry is a natural response to sadness.

  To cry is a natural response to sadness.

  • "*To cry*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural response to sadness).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cry on her shoulder.

  She wants me to cry on her shoulder.

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

  I need a quiet place to cry in peace.

  I need a quiet place to cry in peace.

  • "*To cry* in peace" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to cry* in peace).

Crying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Crying is often seen as a sign of vulnerability.

  Crying is often seen as a sign of vulnerability.

  • "*Crying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (often seen as a sign of vulnerability).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy crying during sad movies.

  I enjoy crying during sad movies.

  • "*Crying* during sad movies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*crying* during sad movies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of crying in public.

  She has a fear of crying in public.

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

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
• manage

Example

They hope to cry together and support each other.

He wants to cry out loud to express his pain.

We decided to cry and let our emotions flow.

She chose to cry alone in her room.

He managed to cry without breaking down in front of others.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine
• recommend

Example

He avoids crying in front of others.

They consider crying a sign of strength, not weakness.

Do you mind crying in front of others?

Can you imagine yourself crying tears of joy?

Experts recommend crying as a healthy way to cope with grief.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to cry when she feels overwhelmed. She likes crying when she feels overwhelmed.

We started to cry after hearing the heartbreaking news. We started crying after hearing the heartbreaking news.

He began to cry uncontrollably. He began crying uncontrollably.