To Debug vs Debugging 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 debug (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to debug my code to find the error.

Debugging (Gerund)

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

Example

Debugging is an important part of software development.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To debug (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To debug is an essential skill for software developers.

  To debug is an essential skill for software developers.

  • "*To debug*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill for software developers).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to debug her program.

  She wants me to debug her program.

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

  We need a tool to debug the application.

  We need a tool to debug the application.

  • "*To debug* the application" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to debug* the application).

Debugging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Debugging requires attention to detail.

  Debugging requires attention to detail.

  • "*Debugging*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (attention to detail).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy debugging complex problems.

  I enjoy debugging complex problems.

  • "*Debugging* complex problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*debugging* complex problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for debugging software issues.

  She has a knack for debugging software issues.

  • "For *debugging* software issues" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *debugging* software issues).

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 debug the software before release.

I hope to debug the issue soon.

He wants to debug the code himself.

We decided to debug the program together.

They agreed to debug the system before deployment.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys debugging challenging problems.

They recommend continuous debugging for better software quality.

I avoid debugging during late hours.

We are considering debugging the application in the next sprint.

Can you imagine yourself debugging code for hours?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to debug challenging issues. She likes debugging challenging issues.

We started to debug the program together. We started debugging the program together.

He began to debug the code yesterday. He began debugging the code yesterday.