To Infer vs Inferring 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 infer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to infer the meaning of the text from the context.

Inferring (Gerund)

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

Example

Inferring can be challenging without enough information.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To infer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To infer requires critical thinking skills.

  To infer requires critical thinking skills.

  • "*To infer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (critical thinking skills).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to infer the answer.

  She wants me to infer the answer.

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

  I need more evidence to infer a conclusion.

  I need more evidence to infer a conclusion.

  • "*To infer* a conclusion" modifies the noun "evidence."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more evidence *to infer* a conclusion).

Inferring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inferring is an important reading comprehension skill.

  Inferring is an important reading comprehension skill.

  • "*Inferring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important reading comprehension skill).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inferring the meaning of metaphors.

  I enjoy inferring the meaning of metaphors.

  • "*Inferring* the meaning of metaphors" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inferring* the meaning of metaphors).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for inferring emotions from facial expressions.

  She has a talent for inferring emotions from facial expressions.

  • "For *inferring* emotions from facial expressions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *inferring* emotions from facial expressions).

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

• decide
• struggle
• wish
• learn
• demand

Example

He decided to infer the meaning of the poem on his own.

They struggle to infer the intentions behind his actions.

I wish to infer the answer from the available clues.

We learned to infer the author's tone from the writing style.

The teacher demanded to infer the correct answer based on the given information.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• understand

Example

They enjoy inferring the motives behind characters' actions.

Experts recommend inferring meaning from context to improve reading comprehension.

I consider inferring the central theme as an essential skill.

He avoids inferring conclusions without sufficient evidence.

We need to understand the context before inferring the speaker's intention.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• try

Example

She likes to infer the hidden message in movies. She likes inferring the hidden message in movies.

They began to infer the meaning of the scientific research. They began inferring the meaning of the scientific research.

He tried to infer the solution to the puzzle. He tried inferring the solution to the puzzle.