To Have vs Having 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 have (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to have a pet dog.

Having (Gerund)

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

Example

Having a positive attitude is important for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To have (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To have a good education is important.

  To have a good education is important.

  • "*To have* a good education" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to have a successful career.

  She wants me to have a successful career.

  • "Me *to have* a successful career" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to have* a successful career).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a car to have independence.

  I need a car to have independence.

  • "*To have* independence" modifies the noun "car."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a car *to have* independence).

Having (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Having a healthy diet is essential for good health.

  Having a healthy diet is essential for good health.

  • "*Having* a healthy diet" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for good health).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy having conversations with interesting people.

  I enjoy having conversations with interesting people.

  • "*Having* conversations with interesting people" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*having* conversations with interesting people).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for having adventures.

  She has a passion for having adventures.

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

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 have a big party for her birthday.

They hope to have a successful business.

He wants to have a nice house.

We decided to have a family vacation.

They agreed to have a meeting next week.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys having a cup of coffee in the morning.

They recommend having a daily exercise routine.

I dislike the idea of having to work late.

He avoids having conflicts with his coworkers.

Can you imagine having a million dollars?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to have control over her schedule. She likes having control over her schedule.

We started to have weekly meetings. We started having weekly meetings.

He began to have a healthier lifestyle. He began having a healthier lifestyle.