To Dread vs Dreading 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 dread (Infinitive)

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

Example

I dread to think about the consequences of my actions.

Dreading (Gerund)

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

Example

Dreading the meeting made her anxious.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dread (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dread is a natural reaction to a scary situation.

  To dread is a natural reaction to a scary situation.

  • "*To dread*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural reaction to a scary situation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to dread the upcoming exam.

  She wants me to dread the upcoming exam.

  • "Me *to dread* the upcoming exam" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dread* the upcoming exam).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a break to dread going to work every day.

  I need a break to dread going to work every day.

  • "*To dread* going to work every day" modifies the noun "break."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a break *to dread* going to work every day).

Dreading (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dreading the unknown can be overwhelming.

  Dreading the unknown can be overwhelming.

  • "*Dreading* the unknown" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (overwhelming).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand dreading the dentist's appointment.

  I can't stand dreading the dentist's appointment.

  • "*Dreading* the dentist's appointment" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*dreading* the dentist's appointment).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of dreading failure.

  She has a fear of dreading failure.

  • "Of *dreading* failure" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *dreading* failure).

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

• avoid
• imagine
• decide
• refuse
• attempt

Example

He avoids to dread difficult conversations.

Can you imagine yourself to dread public speaking?

We decided to dread the worst-case scenario.

They refuse to dread the future.

I attempted to dread the outcome of the test.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• practice

Example

He enjoys dreading horror movies.

They recommend dreading procrastination.

I am considering dreading the outcome of the interview.

Do you mind dreading the long hours of work?

She practices dreading public speaking to overcome her fear.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to dread going to the dentist. I don't like dreading going to the dentist.

He started to dread the upcoming deadline. He started dreading the upcoming deadline.

She began to dread social gatherings. She began dreading social gatherings.