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 key to success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To have (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To have a good education is important for success.

  To have a good education is important for success.

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

  She wants me to have dinner with her.

  She wants me to have dinner with her.

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

  I need a car to have more freedom.

  I need a car to have more freedom.

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

Having (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Having a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being.

  Having a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being.

  • "*Having* a healthy lifestyle" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for overall well-being).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy having dinner with friends.

  I enjoy having dinner with friends.

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

  She has a fear of having public speaking engagements.

  She has a fear of having public speaking engagements.

  • "Of *having* public speaking engagements" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *having* public speaking engagements).

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

• want
• hope
• decide
• choose
• learn

Example

They want to have a family vacation next month.

I hope to have a successful career in the future.

We decided to have a picnic in the park.

She chose to have a small wedding ceremony.

He learned to have patience and perseverance in difficult times.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• understand

Example

They enjoy having outdoor activities on weekends.

Doctors recommend having a balanced diet for good health.

He avoids having conflicts with others.

She is considering having a career change.

I understand the importance of having a positive mindset.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to have coffee in the morning. I like having coffee in the morning.

They started to have regular exercise routines. They started having regular exercise routines.

He began to have more responsibilities at work. He began having more responsibilities at work.