To Hold vs Holding 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 hold (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to hold a meeting to discuss the new project.

Holding (Gerund)

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

Example

Holding a baby requires a gentle touch.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hold (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hold a meeting requires careful planning.

  To hold a meeting requires careful planning.

  • "*To hold* a meeting" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to hold the trophy.

  She wants me to hold the trophy.

  • "Me *to hold* the trophy" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hold* the trophy).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a spacious room to hold the conference.

  We need a spacious room to hold the conference.

  • "*To hold* the conference" modifies the noun "room."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a spacious room *to hold* the conference).

Holding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Holding a baby brings joy and warmth.

  Holding a baby brings joy and warmth.

  • "*Holding* a baby" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (joy and warmth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy holding hands with my loved ones.

  I enjoy holding hands with my loved ones.

  • "*Holding* hands with my loved ones" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*holding* hands with my loved ones).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for holding people's attention.

  She has a talent for holding people's attention.

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

• plan
• decide
• want
• hope
• choose

Example

They plan to hold a party for their anniversary.

He decided to hold a press conference to address the rumors.

She wants to hold a workshop to teach photography skills.

We hope to hold a fundraiser to support the charity.

They chose to hold the event in a hotel ballroom.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind

Example

He enjoys holding concerts in large stadiums.

They avoid holding meetings during lunchtime.

We are considering holding the event outdoors.

Experts recommend regular practice of holding yoga poses.

Do you mind holding the door for me?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hold hands with her partner. She likes holding hands with her partner.

He started to hold weekly team meetings. He started holding weekly team meetings.

They began to hold annual conferences. They began holding annual conferences.