To Grab vs Grabbing 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 grab (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to grab a quick bite before the movie starts.

Grabbing (Gerund)

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

Example

Grabbing a snack on the go is convenient.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To grab (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To grab is his preferred method of catching the ball.

  To grab is his preferred method of catching the ball.

  • "*To grab*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + possessive pronoun (his) + noun phrase (preferred method of catching the ball).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to grab some groceries on my way home.

  She wants me to grab some groceries on my way home.

  • "Me *to grab* some groceries on my way home" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to grab* some groceries on my way home).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a strong hand to grab the rope.

  He needs a strong hand to grab the rope.

  • "*To grab* the rope" modifies the noun "hand."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong hand *to grab* the rope).

Grabbing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Grabbing a book from the shelf, she started reading.

  Grabbing a book from the shelf, she started reading.

  • "*Grabbing* a book from the shelf" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + comma + pronoun (she) + verb (started) + gerund phrase (reading).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy grabbing a cup of tea in the morning.

  I enjoy grabbing a cup of tea in the morning.

  • "*Grabbing* a cup of tea in the morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*grabbing* a cup of tea in the morning).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for grabbing people's attention.

  He has a talent for grabbing people's attention.

  • "For *grabbing* people's attention" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *grabbing* people's attention).

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
• want
• hope
• plan
• choose

Example

We decided to grab dinner at our favorite restaurant.

She wants to grab a cup of coffee before the meeting.

They hope to grab tickets for the concert.

He plans to grab a sandwich for lunch.

I chose to grab the last piece of cake.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They recommend grabbing a quick snack before the workout.

She avoids grabbing unhealthy snacks at the supermarket.

I am considering grabbing a burger for lunch.

Do you mind grabbing my bag from the car?

Can you imagine grabbing a prize in the game show?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to grab a seat near the window. He likes grabbing a seat near the window.

We started to grab our belongings and leave. We started grabbing our belongings and leave.

She began to grab opportunities whenever they arose. She began grabbing opportunities whenever they arose.