To Get vs Getting 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 get (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to get a new car.

Getting (Gerund)

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

Example

Getting a good education is important for future success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To get (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To get a promotion requires hard work and dedication.

  To get a promotion requires hard work and dedication.

  • "*To get* a promotion" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to get her a cup of coffee.

  She wants me to get her a cup of coffee.

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

  I need a ladder to get the book from the top shelf.

  I need a ladder to get the book from the top shelf.

  • "*To get* the book from the top shelf" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to get* the book from the top shelf).

Getting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining good health.

  Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining good health.

  • "*Getting* enough sleep" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (enough sleep).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy getting massages to relax.

  I enjoy getting massages to relax.

  • "*Getting* massages" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*getting* massages).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of getting lost.

  She has a fear of getting lost.

  • "Of *getting* lost" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *getting* lost).

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 get a new job next year.

They hope to get tickets to the concert.

He wants to get a promotion at work.

We decided to get married in the spring.

They agreed to get dinner together tonight.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys getting together with friends on weekends.

They recommend getting regular exercise for better health.

I dislike the idea of getting up early in the morning.

He avoids getting into arguments with his coworkers.

Can you imagine yourself getting a promotion at work?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to get up early in the morning. She likes getting up early in the morning.

We started to get ready for the party. We started getting ready for the party.

He began to get more involved in community service. He began getting more involved in community service.