To Debate vs Debating 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 debate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to debate the topic with you.

Debating (Gerund)

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

Example

Debating helps improve communication skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To debate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To debate is an important skill for critical thinking.

  To debate is an important skill for critical thinking.

  • "*To debate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for critical thinking).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to debate the issue.

  She wants me to debate the issue.

  • "Me *to debate* the issue" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to debate* the issue).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a partner to debate with.

  I need a partner to debate with.

  • "*To debate* with" modifies the noun "partner."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a partner *to debate* with).

Debating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Debating is an engaging activity for students.

  Debating is an engaging activity for students.

  • "*Debating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an engaging activity for students).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy debating different perspectives.

  I enjoy debating different perspectives.

  • "*Debating* different perspectives" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*debating* different perspectives).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for debating.

  She has a passion for debating.

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

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

They plan to debate the topic at the next meeting.

I hope to debate the issue during the conference.

He wants to debate the proposal with the team.

We decided to debate the matter further.

They agreed to debate the topic in depth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys debating current events with his friends.

They recommend regular debating for developing critical thinking skills.

I dislike the idea of debating controversial topics.

She avoids debating with people who are disrespectful.

Can you imagine yourself debating in front of a large audience?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to debate important issues. I like debating important issues.

We started to debate the topic. We started debating the topic.

He began to debate the question. He began debating the question.