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 contest is a great opportunity for exposure.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enter (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enter is a requirement for participating in the event.

  To enter is a requirement for participating in the event.

  • "*To enter*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a requirement for participating in the event).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to enter the contest.

  She wants me to enter the contest.

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

  I need a valid ID to enter the building.

  I need a valid ID to enter the building.

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

Entering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Entering the marathon requires months of training.

  Entering the marathon requires months of training.

  • "*Entering* the marathon" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (months of training).
• 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 cooking competitions.

  She has a passion for entering cooking competitions.

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

He wants to enter the talent show and impress the judges.

We decided to enter the dance competition together.

They agreed to enter the team in the tournament.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys entering singing contests and showcasing her talent.

They recommend entering writing contests to improve your skills.

I dislike the idea of entering crowded places.

He avoids entering competitions that require physical strength.

Can you imagine yourself entering an international art exhibition?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to enter beauty pageants. She likes entering beauty pageants.

We started to enter the music industry. We started entering the music industry.

He began to enter dance competitions. He began entering dance competitions.