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To Drink vs Drinking 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 drink (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to drink a glass of water.

Drinking (Gerund)

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

Example

Drinking water is important for hydration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To drink (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To drink is essential for our survival.

    To drink is essential for our survival.

    • "*To drink*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for our survival).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to drink a cup of coffee.

    She wants me to drink a cup of coffee.

    • "Me *to drink* a cup of coffee" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to drink* a cup of coffee).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a bottle to drink during my workout.

    I need a bottle to drink during my workout.

    • "*To drink* during my workout" modifies the noun "bottle."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bottle *to drink* during my workout).

Drinking (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Drinking coffee in the morning helps me wake up.

    Drinking coffee in the morning helps me wake up.

    • "*Drinking* coffee in the morning" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (me wake up).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

    I enjoy drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

    • "*Drinking* a cup of hot chocolate" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*drinking* a cup of hot chocolate).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a habit of drinking soda every day.

    She has a habit of drinking soda every day.

    • "Of *drinking* soda every day" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *drinking* soda every day).

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

She plans to drink a smoothie after her workout.

They hope to drink some hot tea to warm up.

He wants to drink a glass of wine with dinner.

We decided to drink a cup of herbal tea before bed.

They agreed to drink a refreshing beverage together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys drinking freshly squeezed juice in the morning.

They recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day for good health.

I dislike the taste of drinking carbonated beverages.

He avoids drinking caffeinated drinks before bedtime.

Can you imagine yourself drinking a tropical cocktail on the beach?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to drink herbal tea before sleep. She likes drinking herbal tea before sleep.

We started to drink green smoothies for breakfast. We started drinking green smoothies for breakfast.

He began to drink protein shakes after workouts. He began drinking protein shakes after workouts.

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