To Hide vs Hiding 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 hide (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to hide from the rain under the umbrella.

Hiding (Gerund)

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

Example

Hiding is a common behavior in many animal species.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hide (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hide is a natural instinct when feeling threatened.

  To hide is a natural instinct when feeling threatened.

  • "*To hide*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural instinct when feeling threatened).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to hide in the closet.

  She wants me to hide in the closet.

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

  I need a good spot to hide my secret stash.

  I need a good spot to hide my secret stash.

  • "*To hide* my secret stash" modifies the noun "spot."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good spot *to hide* my secret stash).

Hiding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hiding requires careful planning and execution.

  Hiding requires careful planning and execution.

  • "*Hiding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and execution).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hiding Easter eggs for the children to find.

  I enjoy hiding Easter eggs for the children to find.

  • "*Hiding* Easter eggs for the children to find" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hiding* Easter eggs for the children to find).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of hiding from her past.

  She has a fear of hiding from her past.

  • "Of *hiding* from her past" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *hiding* from her past).

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 hide in the basement during the storm.

They hope to hide from their pursuers in the forest.

He wants to hide his true identity.

We decided to hide the treasure in a secret location.

They agreed to hide the evidence together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys hiding in the attic when playing hide-and-seek.

They recommend hiding valuable belongings in a safe place.

I dislike the idea of hiding my true emotions.

He avoids hiding from responsibilities.

Can you imagine yourself hiding from a dangerous situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hide in small spaces. She likes hiding in small spaces.

We started to hide when we heard the noise. We started hiding when we heard the noise.

He began to hide his feelings from everyone. He began hiding his feelings from everyone.