To Enroll vs Enrolling 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 enroll (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to enroll in a language course next semester.

Enrolling (Gerund)

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

Example

Enrolling in a fitness class can improve your overall health.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enroll (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enroll is a necessary step for starting college.

  To enroll is a necessary step for starting college.

  • "*To enroll*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step for starting college).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to enroll in the program.

  She wants me to enroll in the program.

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

  I need a pen to enroll in the class.

  I need a pen to enroll in the class.

  • "*To enroll* in the class" modifies the noun "pen."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to enroll* in the class).

Enrolling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Enrolling in this program is a great opportunity.

  Enrolling in this program is a great opportunity.

  • "*Enrolling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great opportunity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy enrolling in different courses.

  I enjoy enrolling in different courses.

  • "*Enrolling* in different courses" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*enrolling* in different courses).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for enrolling in educational programs.

  She has a passion for enrolling in educational programs.

  • "For *enrolling* in educational programs" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *enrolling* in educational programs).

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

• decide
• want
• plan
• hope
• attempt

Example

We decided to enroll in the advanced course.

He wants to enroll in the online program.

She plans to enroll in the music school next year.

They hope to enroll in the art class this summer.

I attempted to enroll in the workshop, but it was full.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• postpone
• imagine

Example

They recommend enrolling in the workshop for career development.

I am considering enrolling in a cooking class.

He avoids enrolling in classes with early morning lectures.

She decided to postpone enrolling in the program until next year.

Can you imagine yourself enrolling in a dance academy?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to enroll in new courses every semester. She likes enrolling in new courses every semester.

We started to enroll in the workshop. We started enrolling in the workshop.

He began to enroll in the program last month. He began enrolling in the program last month.