To Dine vs Dining 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 dine (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dine at that fancy restaurant.

Dining (Gerund)

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

Example

Dining out is a popular activity in the city.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dine (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dine is a special occasion for us.

  To dine is a special occasion for us.

  • "*To dine*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a special occasion for us).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to dine with her tonight.

  She wants me to dine with her tonight.

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

  I need a reservation to dine at that restaurant.

  I need a reservation to dine at that restaurant.

  • "*To dine* at that restaurant" modifies the noun "reservation."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reservation *to dine* at that restaurant).

Dining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dining out can be a fun social experience.

  Dining out can be a fun social experience.

  • "*Dining* out" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a fun social experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dining at new restaurants.

  I enjoy dining at new restaurants.

  • "*Dining* at new restaurants" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dining* at new restaurants).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for dining in fine establishments.

  He has a passion for dining in fine establishments.

  • "For *dining* in fine establishments" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *dining* in fine establishments).

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 dine at the new Italian restaurant next week.

I hope to dine with my family on my birthday.

She wants to dine in a romantic setting.

We decided to dine at the rooftop restaurant for the view.

They agreed to dine at their favorite restaurant together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy dining with friends at trendy restaurants.

I recommend trying the local cuisine while dining abroad.

She dislikes dining in noisy environments.

He avoids dining at fast food chains.

Can you imagine dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to dine at cozy cafes. We like dining at cozy cafes.

She started to dine at upscale restaurants. She started dining at upscale restaurants.

He began to dine out more frequently. He began dining out more frequently.