To Exchange vs Exchanging 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 exchange (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to exchange my gift with you.

Exchanging (Gerund)

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

Example

Exchanging gifts is a joyful part of the holiday season.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exchange (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exchange gifts is a common tradition during the holiday season.

  To exchange gifts is a common tradition during the holiday season.

  • "*To exchange* gifts" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common tradition during the holiday season).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to exchange my shirt with her.

  She wants me to exchange my shirt with her.

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

  I need a larger size to exchange this shirt.

  I need a larger size to exchange this shirt.

  • "*To exchange* this shirt" modifies the noun "size."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a larger size *to exchange* this shirt).

Exchanging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exchanging messages online has become a popular form of communication.

  Exchanging messages online has become a popular form of communication.

  • "*Exchanging* messages online" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (has become) + noun phrase (a popular form of communication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy exchanging ideas with my colleagues.

  I enjoy exchanging ideas with my colleagues.

  • "*Exchanging* ideas with my colleagues" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exchanging* ideas with my colleagues).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for exchanging currency.

  She has a talent for exchanging currency.

  • "For *exchanging* currency" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *exchanging* currency).

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 exchange her dress for a different color.

They hope to exchange their tickets for a later date.

He wants to exchange his old phone for a new one.

We decided to exchange our hotel reservation for a different one.

They agreed to exchange their seats with us.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys exchanging gifts with her family during the holidays.

They recommend exchanging contact information for networking purposes.

I dislike the idea of exchanging personal information with strangers.

He avoids exchanging pleasantries with people he doesn't know.

Can you imagine yourself exchanging vows with your partner?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to exchange books with her friends. She likes exchanging books with her friends.

We started to exchange emails as a form of communication. We started exchanging emails as a form of communication.

He began to exchange his old clothes for new ones. He began exchanging his old clothes for new ones.