To Engage vs Engaging 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 engage (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to engage in meaningful conversations.

Engaging (Gerund)

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

Example

Engaging in hobbies can help reduce stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To engage (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To engage is essential for effective communication.

  To engage is essential for effective communication.

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

  She wants me to engage in the project.

  She wants me to engage in the project.

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

  I need a challenge to engage my mind.

  I need a challenge to engage my mind.

  • "*To engage* my mind" modifies the noun "challenge."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a challenge *to engage* my mind).

Engaging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Engaging with others is important for social development.

  Engaging with others is important for social development.

  • "*Engaging* with others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for social development).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy engaging with different cultures.

  I enjoy engaging with different cultures.

  • "*Engaging* with different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*engaging* with different cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for engaging in outdoor activities.

  She has a passion for engaging in outdoor activities.

  • "For *engaging* in outdoor activities" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *engaging* in outdoor activities).

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

She plans to engage in community service activities next month.

They hope to engage in a productive discussion during the meeting.

He wants to engage in a new business venture.

We decided to engage in a fitness program for better health.

They agreed to engage in team-building exercises.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys engaging in creative projects.

They recommend engaging in regular exercise for a healthy lifestyle.

I dislike the idea of engaging in tedious tasks.

He avoids engaging in conflicts.

Can you imagine yourself engaging in adventurous activities?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to engage in intellectual discussions. She likes engaging in intellectual discussions.

We started to engage in volunteer work. We started engaging in volunteer work.

He began to engage in mindfulness practices. He began engaging in mindfulness practices.