To Exit vs Exiting 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 exit (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to exit the building through the main entrance.

Exiting (Gerund)

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

Example

Exiting the theater, I felt a sense of satisfaction.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exit is a necessary step before entering the room.

  To exit is a necessary step before entering the room.

  • "*To exit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step before entering the room).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to exit the car at the next stop.

  She wants me to exit the car at the next stop.

  • "Me *to exit* the car at the next stop" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to exit* the car at the next stop).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need an emergency exit to exit the building quickly.

  I need an emergency exit to exit the building quickly.

  • "*To exit* the building quickly" modifies the noun "emergency exit."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an emergency exit *to exit* the building quickly).

Exiting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exiting the building can be challenging during rush hour.

  Exiting the building can be challenging during rush hour.

  • "*Exiting* the building" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (challenging during rush hour).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy exiting the train station after a long day.

  I enjoy exiting the train station after a long day.

  • "*Exiting* the train station" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exiting* the train station).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of exiting crowded places.

  She has a fear of exiting crowded places.

  • "Of *exiting* crowded places" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *exiting* crowded places).

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 exit the room quietly.

They hope to exit the airport without any delays.

He wants to exit the elevator on the ground floor.

We decided to exit the party early.

They agreed to exit the restaurant together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys exiting the building through the grand entrance.

They recommend exiting the highway at the next exit.

I dislike the feeling of exiting a roller coaster.

He avoids exiting through the back door.

Can you imagine yourself exiting a plane via the emergency slide?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to exit the room quietly. She likes exiting the room quietly.

We started to exit the building together. We started exiting the building together.

He began to exit the vehicle cautiously. He began exiting the vehicle cautiously.