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To Devote vs Devoting Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To devote (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to devote more time to my hobbies.

Devoting (Gerund)

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

Example

Devoting time to exercise is important for maintaining good health.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To devote (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To devote oneself to a cause is admirable.

    To devote oneself to a cause is admirable.

    • "*To devote* oneself to a cause" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (admirable).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to devote my attention to this project.

    She wants me to devote my attention to this project.

    • "Me *to devote* my attention to this project" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to devote* my attention to this project).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a quiet space to devote to meditation.

    He needs a quiet space to devote to meditation.

    • "*To devote* to meditation" modifies the noun "space."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet space *to devote* to meditation).

Devoting (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Devoting oneself to a cause requires dedication.

    Devoting oneself to a cause requires dedication.

    • "*Devoting* oneself to a cause" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun (dedication).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy devoting my weekends to gardening.

    I enjoy devoting my weekends to gardening.

    • "*Devoting* my weekends to gardening" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*devoting* my weekends to gardening).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for devoting her time to charity work.

    She has a passion for devoting her time to charity work.

    • "For *devoting* her time to charity work" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *devoting* her time to charity work).

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

Example

They plan to devote their time to volunteer work.

I hope to devote myself to learning a new language.

We want to devote our resources to environmental conservation.

She decided to devote her career to helping others.

They agreed to devote their efforts to the project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys devoting his evenings to reading.

Experts recommend devoting at least 30 minutes to exercise every day.

I dislike the idea of devoting my entire weekend to work.

She avoids devoting her energy to negative thoughts.

Can you imagine yourself devoting your life to scientific research?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I like to devote my free time to painting. I like devoting my free time to painting.

They started to devote more resources to renewable energy. They started devoting more resources to renewable energy.

He began to devote his weekends to volunteering. He began devoting his weekends to volunteering.

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