To Decide vs Deciding 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 decide (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to decide which college to attend.

Deciding (Gerund)

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

Example

Deciding can be a stressful process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To decide (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To decide is a difficult task.

  To decide is a difficult task.

  • "*To decide*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to decide for her.

  She wants me to decide for her.

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

  I need more information to decide on a course of action.

  I need more information to decide on a course of action.

  • "*To decide* on a course of action" modifies the noun "information."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more information *to decide* on a course of action).

Deciding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deciding takes time and careful consideration.

  Deciding takes time and careful consideration.

  • "*Deciding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy deciding what to wear each day.

  I enjoy deciding what to wear each day.

  • "*Deciding* what to wear each day" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*deciding* what to wear each day).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for deciding on the best course of action.

  She has a knack for deciding on the best course of action.

  • "For *deciding* on the best course of action" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *deciding* on the best course of action).

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
• agree
• choose

Example

She plans to decide on her career path after graduation.

They hope to decide on a destination for their vacation.

He wants to decide on a new car model.

We agreed to decide on a meeting time that works for everyone.

They chose to decide on a wedding venue together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys deciding where to go on vacation.

They recommend deciding on a budget before making any purchases.

I avoid deciding on important matters when I'm tired.

Can you imagine yourself deciding on a career path at such a young age?

We are considering deciding on a different approach to the problem.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to decide things for herself. She likes deciding things for herself.

We started to decide on a new business venture. We started deciding on a new business venture.

He began to decide on his future career path. He began deciding on his future career path.