To Follow vs Following 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 follow (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to follow my dreams and pursue a career in music.

Following (Gerund)

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

Example

Following your instincts can lead to great opportunities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To follow (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To follow your heart is important in making life decisions.

  To follow your heart is important in making life decisions.

  • "*To follow* your heart" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in making life decisions).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to follow her lead in this project.

  She wants me to follow her lead in this project.

  • "Me *to follow* her lead in this project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to follow* her lead in this project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a guide to follow in this unfamiliar city.

  I need a guide to follow in this unfamiliar city.

  • "*To follow* in this unfamiliar city" modifies the noun "guide."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a guide *to follow* in this unfamiliar city).

Following (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Following a healthy lifestyle is essential for overall well-being.

  Following a healthy lifestyle is essential for overall well-being.

  • "*Following* a healthy lifestyle" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a healthy lifestyle).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy following new trends in fashion.

  I enjoy following new trends in fashion.

  • "*Following* new trends in fashion" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*following* new trends in fashion).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for following complex instructions.

  He has a talent for following complex instructions.

  • "For *following* complex instructions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *following* complex instructions).

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
• attempt
• refuse

Example

He decided to follow his passion and become an artist.

We hope to follow our dreams and achieve success.

She wants to follow her intuition and make the right choice.

They attempted to follow the instructions but got confused.

I refused to follow their advice and followed my own path.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• like
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• understand

Example

I like following inspiring people on social media.

They recommend following a balanced diet for good health.

She is considering following a career in journalism.

He avoids following negative influences in his life.

It is important to understand the consequences of following bad advice.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• love
• start
• begin

Example

They love to follow their favorite sports teams. They love following their favorite sports teams.

We started to follow a new workout routine. We started following a new workout routine.

He began to follow a strict diet plan. He began following a strict diet plan.