To Heed vs Heeding 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 heed (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to heed your advice and make better decisions.

Heeding (Gerund)

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

Example

Heeding your advice has helped me avoid many problems.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To heed (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To heed is important in order to avoid mistakes.

  To heed is important in order to avoid mistakes.

  • "*To heed*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important) + infinitive (to heed).
• 2. Object

  She expects him to heed her warning.

  She expects him to heed her warning.

  • "Him *to heed* her warning" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (him *to heed* her warning).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  It is necessary to heed the signs of danger.

  It is necessary to heed the signs of danger.

  • "*To heed* the signs of danger" modifies the adjective "necessary."
  • Noun (It) + verb (is) + adjective (necessary) + infinitive (to heed) + noun phrase (the signs of danger).

Heeding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Heeding your advice is crucial for success.

  Heeding your advice is crucial for success.

  • "*Heeding* your advice" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for success).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate heeding your warning.

  I appreciate heeding your warning.

  • "*Heeding* your warning" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*heeding* your warning).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are committed to the practice of heeding safety guidelines.

  They are committed to the practice of heeding safety guidelines.

  • "The practice of *heeding* safety guidelines" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are committed to) + noun phrase (the practice of *heeding* safety guidelines).

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
• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• wish

Example

They decided to heed their teacher's advice.

We plan to heed the warnings and take necessary precautions.

He refused to heed the instructions given by his boss.

She attempted to heed the guidelines for a healthy lifestyle.

I wish to heed your wise words and make better choices.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• resist

Example

We consider heeding their advice before making any decisions.

Experts recommend heeding the warnings to prevent accidents.

She avoids heeding negative influences in her life.

Do you mind heeding my suggestion and trying something new?

He resists heeding the opinions of others and follows his own path.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to heed your advice. I would like heeding your advice.

They started to heed the warnings. They started heeding the warnings.

She began to heed the instructions carefully. She began heeding the instructions carefully.