To Gain vs Gaining 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 gain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to gain more knowledge and skills.

Gaining (Gerund)

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

Example

Gaining experience is crucial for career growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To gain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To gain experience is essential in this field.

  To gain experience is essential in this field.

  • "*To gain* experience" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in this field).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to gain new clients for the company.

  She wants me to gain new clients for the company.

  • "Me *to gain* new clients for the company" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to gain* new clients for the company).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strategy to gain a competitive advantage.

  We need a strategy to gain a competitive advantage.

  • "*To gain* a competitive advantage" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to gain* a competitive advantage).

Gaining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Gaining knowledge is a lifelong process.

  Gaining knowledge is a lifelong process.

  • "*Gaining* knowledge" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a lifelong process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy gaining new perspectives through travel.

  I enjoy gaining new perspectives through travel.

  • "*Gaining* new perspectives through travel" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gaining* new perspectives through travel).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for gaining success.

  She has a passion for gaining success.

  • "For *gaining* success" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *gaining* success).

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

He plans to gain more knowledge through further education.

They hope to gain valuable insights from the workshop.

She wants to gain financial independence.

We decided to gain work experience before starting our own business.

They agreed to gain new skills through training programs.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys gaining new skills in his spare time.

They recommend regular gaining of knowledge for personal development.

I dislike the idea of gaining weight without exercise.

She avoids gaining unnecessary expenses.

Can you imagine yourself gaining recognition for your work?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to gain new experiences through travel. We like gaining new experiences through travel.

He started to gain financial stability at a young age. He started gaining financial stability at a young age.

She began to gain confidence in her abilities. She began gaining confidence in her abilities.