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 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 hands is a sign of affection.

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 her hand.

  She wants me to hold her hand.

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

  We need a large room to hold all the participants.

  We need a large room to hold all the participants.

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

Holding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Holding hands in public is considered romantic.

  Holding hands in public is considered romantic.

  • "*Holding* hands" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (considered romantic).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy holding a baby in my arms.

  I enjoy holding a baby in my arms.

  • "*Holding* a baby in my arms" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*holding* a baby in my arms).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for holding her breath underwater.

  She has a talent for holding her breath underwater.

  • "For *holding* her breath underwater" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *holding* her breath underwater).

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

They plan to hold a conference next month.

I hope to hold a successful event.

He wants to hold a workshop for beginners.

We decided to hold a fundraising campaign.

They agreed to hold a brainstorming session.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy holding hands while walking.

Experts recommend holding the pose for at least 30 seconds.

I dislike holding onto grudges.

He avoids holding heavy objects.

Can you imagine yourself holding a trophy?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hold meetings in person. She likes holding meetings in person.

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

He began to hold seminars on leadership. He began holding seminars on leadership.