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To Jog vs Jogging Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To jog (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to jog every morning to improve my fitness.

Jogging (Gerund)

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

Example

Jogging is a popular form of exercise.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To jog (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To jog is a great way to stay active.

    To jog is a great way to stay active.

    • "*To jog*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to stay active).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to jog with her in the park.

    She wants me to jog with her in the park.

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

    I need comfortable shoes to jog long distances.

    I need comfortable shoes to jog long distances.

    • "*To jog* long distances" modifies the noun "shoes."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (comfortable shoes *to jog* long distances).

Jogging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Jogging helps in maintaining a healthy weight.

    Jogging helps in maintaining a healthy weight.

    • "*Jogging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (in maintaining a healthy weight).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy jogging in the park.

    I enjoy jogging in the park.

    • "*Jogging* in the park" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*jogging* in the park).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a passion for jogging.

    He has a passion for jogging.

    • "For *jogging*" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *jogging*).

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

Example

He plans to jog in the morning before work.

They hope to jog in the park this weekend.

She wants to jog with a running group.

We decided to jog in the marathon next month.

They agreed to jog together every evening.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys jogging early in the morning.

They recommend regular jogging for cardiovascular health.

I dislike the idea of jogging in the rain.

He avoids jogging on hard surfaces.

Can you imagine yourself jogging in a marathon?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to jog in the park. She likes jogging in the park.

We started to jog together every morning. We started jogging together every morning.

He began to jog regularly for better health. He began jogging regularly for better health.

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