To Settle vs Settling 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 settle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to settle down and start a family.

Settling (Gerund)

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

Example

Settling into a new environment can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To settle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To settle is a difficult decision to make.

  To settle is a difficult decision to make.

  • "*To settle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult decision to make).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to settle in a new city.

  She wants me to settle in a new city.

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

  I need a comfortable place to settle down.

  I need a comfortable place to settle down.

  • "*To settle* down" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable place *to settle* down).

Settling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Settling in a foreign country requires adaptation.

  Settling in a foreign country requires adaptation.

  • "*Settling* in a foreign country" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (adaptation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy settling into a routine.

  I enjoy settling into a routine.

  • "*Settling* into a routine" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*settling* into a routine).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of settling for less than he deserves.

  He has a fear of settling for less than he deserves.

  • "Of *settling* for less than he deserves" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *settling* for less than he deserves).

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

They plan to settle in a quiet neighborhood.

I hope to settle in my dream job soon.

He wants to settle in a peaceful countryside.

We decided to settle in a small town.

They agreed to settle their differences and move forward.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys settling into a new home.

They recommend settling any disputes through mediation.

I dislike the idea of settling for mediocrity.

He avoids settling for anything less than perfection.

Can you imagine yourself settling into a different culture?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to settle in a peaceful environment. She likes settling into a new place.

We started to settle our financial matters. We started settling into our new home.

He began to settle his debts. He began settling into retirement.