To Fulfil vs Fulfilling 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 fulfil (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to fulfil my responsibilities.

Fulfilling (Gerund)

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

Example

Fulfilling your goals brings a sense of accomplishment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fulfil (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fulfil your dreams requires hard work and determination.

  To fulfil your dreams requires hard work and determination.

  • "*To fulfil* your dreams" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and determination).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to fulfil her wishes.

  She wants me to fulfil her wishes.

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

  I need a plan to fulfil my goals.

  I need a plan to fulfil my goals.

  • "*To fulfil* my goals" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to fulfil* my goals).

Fulfilling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Fulfilling your dreams is possible with dedication and perseverance.

  Fulfilling your dreams is possible with dedication and perseverance.

  • "*Fulfilling* your dreams" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (possible with dedication and perseverance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fulfilling my responsibilities at work.

  I enjoy fulfilling my responsibilities at work.

  • "*Fulfilling* my responsibilities at work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fulfilling* my responsibilities at work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for fulfilling her purpose in life.

  She has a passion for fulfilling her purpose in life.

  • "For *fulfilling* her purpose in life" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *fulfilling* her purpose in life).

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
• struggle
• choose
• manage

Example

They decided to fulfil their obligations before taking a break.

I hope to fulfil my ambitions in life.

She struggles to fulfil her potential every day.

He chose to fulfil his duties rather than taking a vacation.

We managed to fulfil all the requirements on time.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

He enjoys fulfilling his dreams and aspirations.

They recommend fulfilling your obligations to maintain a good reputation.

She avoids fulfilling unrealistic expectations.

Can you imagine fulfilling your lifelong dreams?

I don't mind fulfilling additional responsibilities.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to fulfil her commitments. She likes fulfilling her commitments.

We started to fulfil our dreams. We started fulfilling our dreams.

He began to fulfil his responsibilities. He began fulfilling his responsibilities.