To Develop vs Developing 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 develop (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to develop my skills in programming.

Developing (Gerund)

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

Example

Developing a positive mindset is important for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To develop (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To develop is a key aspect of personal growth.

  To develop is a key aspect of personal growth.

  • "*To develop*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key aspect of personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to develop a new website for her business.

  She wants me to develop a new website for her business.

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

  We need a quiet environment to develop our concentration.

  We need a quiet environment to develop our concentration.

  • "*To develop* our concentration" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to develop* our concentration).

Developing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Developing new technologies is their main focus.

  Developing new technologies is their main focus.

  • "*Developing* new technologies" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their main focus).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

  I enjoy developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

  • "*Developing* innovative solutions to complex problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*developing* innovative solutions to complex problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for developing creative ideas.

  She has a talent for developing creative ideas.

  • "For *developing* creative ideas" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *developing* creative ideas).

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 develop a new product line next year.

I hope to develop strong relationships with my colleagues.

He wants to develop his communication skills.

We decided to develop a mobile app for our business.

They agreed to develop a comprehensive training program.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy developing new strategies for business growth.

Experts recommend developing a habit of lifelong learning.

He avoids developing bad habits in his work routine.

We are considering developing a partnership with a local charity.

Can you imagine yourself developing groundbreaking technology?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to develop her artistic skills. She likes developing her artistic skills.

We started to develop a new software application. We started developing a new software application.

He began to develop his own business. He began developing his own business.