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 relationships is essential in building a strong network.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To develop (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To develop is an important step in personal growth.

  To develop is an important step in personal growth.

  • "*To develop*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in 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

  I need a quiet environment to develop my concentration.

  I need a quiet environment to develop my concentration.

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

Developing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Developing new ideas is exciting.

  Developing new ideas is exciting.

  • "*Developing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (exciting).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy developing my skills through practice.

  I enjoy developing my skills through practice.

  • "*Developing* my skills through practice" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*developing* my skills through practice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for developing innovative solutions.

  She has a passion for developing innovative solutions.

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

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

She plans to develop a mobile app for her startup.

They hope to develop their communication skills during the training program.

He wants to develop a career in graphic design.

We decided to develop a new product for our customers.

They agreed to develop a marketing strategy together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys developing new strategies for her business.

They recommend continuous developing for professional growth.

I dislike the process of developing complex algorithms.

He avoids developing bad habits in his work routine.

Can you imagine yourself developing groundbreaking technologies?

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.