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To Draw vs Drawing 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 draw (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to draw a beautiful landscape.

Drawing (Gerund)

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

Example

Drawing helps to improve observation skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To draw (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To draw requires practice and patience.

    To draw requires practice and patience.

    • "*To draw*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice and patience).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to draw her portrait.

    She wants me to draw her portrait.

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

    I need a pencil to draw detailed lines.

    I need a pencil to draw detailed lines.

    • "*To draw* detailed lines" modifies the noun "pencil."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pencil *to draw* detailed lines).

Drawing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Drawing is a popular hobby among many people.

    Drawing is a popular hobby among many people.

    • "*Drawing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular hobby among many people).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy drawing landscapes in my free time.

    I enjoy drawing landscapes in my free time.

    • "*Drawing* landscapes in my free time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*drawing* landscapes in my free time).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for drawing portraits.

    She has a talent for drawing portraits.

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

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 draw a comic strip for her project.

They hope to draw a crowd at their art exhibition.

He wants to draw a portrait of his pet.

We decided to draw each other's portraits in art class.

They agreed to draw a mural together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys drawing still life compositions.

They recommend regular drawing practice for artistic development.

I dislike the idea of drawing with charcoal.

He avoids drawing complex subjects.

Can you imagine yourself drawing realistic portraits?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to draw abstract art. She likes drawing abstract art.

We started to draw cartoons. We started drawing cartoons.

He began to draw with colored pencils. He began drawing with colored pencils.

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