To Gather vs Gathering 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 gather (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to gather all the necessary information for the project.

Gathering (Gerund)

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

Example

Gathering information can be time-consuming.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To gather (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To gather data is an important step in the research process.

  To gather data is an important step in the research process.

  • "*To gather* data" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the research process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to gather the documents for the meeting.

  She wants me to gather the documents for the meeting.

  • "Me *to gather* the documents for the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to gather* the documents for the meeting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a notebook to gather my thoughts.

  I need a notebook to gather my thoughts.

  • "*To gather* my thoughts" modifies the noun "notebook."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a notebook *to gather* my thoughts).

Gathering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Gathering evidence is crucial in solving a crime.

  Gathering evidence is crucial in solving a crime.

  • "*Gathering* evidence" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in solving a crime).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy gathering with friends for dinner.

  I enjoy gathering with friends for dinner.

  • "*Gathering* with friends for dinner" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gathering* with friends for dinner).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for gathering information.

  She has a talent for gathering information.

  • "For *gathering* information" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *gathering* information).

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 gather all the necessary materials tomorrow.

They hope to gather enough participants for the study.

He wants to gather feedback from the customers.

We decided to gather information from various sources.

They agreed to gather at the park for the event.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys gathering ideas for her artwork.

They recommend regular gathering of feedback for improvement.

I dislike the idea of gathering in large crowds.

He avoids gathering unnecessary items.

Can you imagine yourself gathering knowledge from different sources?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to gather information from reliable sources. She likes gathering information from reliable sources.

We started to gather early in the morning. We started gathering early in the morning.

He began to gather his belongings for the trip. He began gathering his belongings for the trip.