To Imagine vs Imagining 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 imagine (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to imagine a world without war.

Imagining (Gerund)

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

Example

Imagining the possibilities is exciting.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To imagine (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To imagine is a powerful tool for creativity.

  To imagine is a powerful tool for creativity.

  • "*To imagine*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a powerful tool for creativity).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to imagine a better future.

  She wants me to imagine a better future.

  • "Me *to imagine* a better future" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to imagine* a better future).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a visionary leader to imagine new possibilities.

  We need a visionary leader to imagine new possibilities.

  • "*To imagine* new possibilities" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a visionary leader *to imagine* new possibilities).

Imagining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Imagining brings out our creativity.

  Imagining brings out our creativity.

  • "*Imagining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (brings out) + noun phrase (our creativity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy imagining different scenarios.

  I enjoy imagining different scenarios.

  • "*Imagining* different scenarios" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*imagining* different scenarios).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for imagining unique characters.

  He has a talent for imagining unique characters.

  • "For *imagining* unique characters" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *imagining* unique characters).

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 imagine a world beyond our current understanding.

I hope to imagine a world where everyone lives in harmony.

She wants to imagine a world filled with love and compassion.

He decided to imagine a future where technology benefits all.

We agreed to imagine a society based on equality and justice.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• consider

Example

She enjoys imagining herself in different roles.

They recommend imagining positive outcomes to reduce stress.

I dislike the idea of imagining worst-case scenarios.

He avoids imagining negative possibilities.

We are considering imagining new ways to solve the problem.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to imagine herself in different places. She likes imagining herself in different places.

We started to imagine a better future. We started imagining a better future.

He began to imagine the world from a different perspective. He began imagining the world from a different perspective.