To Enter vs Entering 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 enter (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to enter the competition to showcase my talent.

Entering (Gerund)

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

Example

Entering the competition requires a lot of preparation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enter (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enter is the first step in achieving success.

  To enter is the first step in achieving success.

  • "*To enter*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step in achieving success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to enter the contest with her.

  She wants me to enter the contest with her.

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

  I need a key to enter the building.

  I need a key to enter the building.

  • "*To enter* the building" modifies the noun "key."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a key *to enter* the building).

Entering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Entering is the first step towards achieving your goals.

  Entering is the first step towards achieving your goals.

  • "*Entering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step towards achieving your goals).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy entering photography contests.

  I enjoy entering photography contests.

  • "*Entering* photography contests" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*entering* photography contests).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for entering dance competitions.

  She has a passion for entering dance competitions.

  • "For *entering* dance competitions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *entering* dance competitions).

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 enter the race next month.

They hope to enter the competition and win the prize.

He wants to enter the university of his choice.

We decided to enter the talent show together.

They agreed to enter the contest as a team.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys entering art exhibitions.

They recommend regular entering of writing contests.

I dislike the idea of entering crowded places.

He avoids entering high-risk situations.

Can you imagine yourself entering a singing competition?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to enter sweepstakes. She likes entering sweepstakes.

We started to enter the marathon. We started entering the marathon.

He began to enter the tournament every year. He began entering the tournament every year.