To Endure vs Enduring 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 endure (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to endure such unfair treatment.

Enduring (Gerund)

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

Example

Enduring hardships builds character.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To endure (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To endure hardships is part of life.

  To endure hardships is part of life.

  • "*To endure* hardships" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (part of life).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to endure this difficult situation.

  She wants me to endure this difficult situation.

  • "Me *to endure* this difficult situation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to endure* this difficult situation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs strong willpower to endure the challenges.

  He needs strong willpower to endure the challenges.

  • "*To endure* the challenges" modifies the noun "willpower."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (strong willpower *to endure* the challenges).

Enduring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Enduring challenges makes us stronger.

  Enduring challenges makes us stronger.

  • "*Enduring* challenges" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (makes) + noun phrase (us stronger).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy enduring long hikes in the mountains.

  I enjoy enduring long hikes in the mountains.

  • "*Enduring* long hikes in the mountains" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*enduring* long hikes in the mountains).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for enduring difficult situations.

  She has a passion for enduring difficult situations.

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

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• manage
• choose

Example

They hope to endure this tough time together.

She wants to endure the pain for a greater purpose.

We decided to endure the difficult journey to reach our goal.

He managed to endure the extreme conditions during the expedition.

They chose to endure the physical discomfort in order to achieve success.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids enduring unnecessary stress.

They consider enduring challenges as opportunities for growth.

I recommend enduring the pain for a better outcome.

Do you mind enduring a little discomfort for the sake of progress?

Can you imagine yourself enduring extreme weather conditions?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to endure challenging tasks. I like enduring challenging tasks.

She started to endure the hardships of a new job. She started enduring the hardships of a new job.

We began to endure the pain for a higher purpose. We began enduring the pain for a higher purpose.