To Fast vs Fasting 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 fast (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to fast for religious reasons.

Fasting (Gerund)

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

Example

Fasting can improve mental clarity and focus.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fast (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fast is a common practice during Ramadan.

  To fast is a common practice during Ramadan.

  • "*To fast*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice during Ramadan).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to fast with her tomorrow.

  She wants me to fast with her tomorrow.

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

  I need a clear goal to fast for extended periods of time.

  I need a clear goal to fast for extended periods of time.

  • "*To fast* for extended periods of time" modifies the noun "goal."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear goal *to fast* for extended periods of time).

Fasting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Fasting has been practiced for centuries.

  Fasting has been practiced for centuries.

  • "*Fasting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (has been practiced) + noun phrase (for centuries).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fasting for spiritual growth.

  I enjoy fasting for spiritual growth.

  • "*Fasting* for spiritual growth" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fasting* for spiritual growth).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a routine of intermittent fasting.

  She has a routine of intermittent fasting.

  • "Of intermittent *fasting*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a routine of intermittent *fasting*).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• plan
• refuse

Example

We decided to fast for a week as a detoxification method.

They hope to fast for spiritual enlightenment.

He wants to fast for weight loss.

She plans to fast for health benefits.

They refused to fast as part of their religious beliefs.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They recommend regular fasting for improved metabolism.

He avoids fasting for medical reasons.

I am considering fasting for spiritual purification.

Do you mind fasting during this religious event?

Can you imagine yourself fasting for an entire day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to fast for personal growth. She likes fasting for personal growth.

We started to fast intermittently. We started fasting intermittently.

He began to fast for better health. He began fasting for better health.