To Help vs Helping 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 help (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to help my friend with her project.

Helping (Gerund)

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

Example

Helping others is a rewarding experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To help (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To help is a kind gesture.

  To help is a kind gesture.

  • "*To help*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a kind gesture).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to help her move.

  She wants me to help her move.

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

  I need a screwdriver to help fix this.

  I need a screwdriver to help fix this.

  • "*To help* fix this" modifies the noun "screwdriver."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a screwdriver *to help* fix this).

Helping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Helping others brings joy.

  Helping others brings joy.

  • "*Helping* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (joy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy helping my friends with their problems.

  I enjoy helping my friends with their problems.

  • "*Helping* my friends with their problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*helping* my friends with their problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for helping animals.

  She has a passion for helping animals.

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

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 help her neighbors with their garden tomorrow.

They hope to help the homeless during the holiday season.

He wants to help in any way he can.

We decided to help clean up the beach this weekend.

They agreed to help each other with their homework.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys helping others in need.

They recommend helping the environment by reducing waste.

I dislike the idea of helping someone who doesn't appreciate it.

He avoids helping people who take advantage of his kindness.

Can you imagine yourself helping those in need?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to help her family whenever they need assistance. She likes helping her family whenever they need assistance.

We started to help at the local shelter. We started helping at the local shelter.

He began to help out in the community. He began helping out in the community.