To Join vs Joining 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 join (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to join the club to meet new people.

Joining (Gerund)

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

Example

Joining the club has been a rewarding experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To join (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To join is a great opportunity for personal growth.

  To join is a great opportunity for personal growth.

  • "*To join*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great opportunity for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to join her team.

  She wants me to join her team.

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

  I need a keycard to join the exclusive event.

  I need a keycard to join the exclusive event.

  • "*To join* the exclusive event" modifies the noun "keycard."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a keycard *to join* the exclusive event).

Joining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Joining is the first step towards becoming a member.

  Joining is the first step towards becoming a member.

  • "*Joining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step towards becoming a member).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy joining group activities.

  I enjoy joining group activities.

  • "*Joining* group activities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*joining* group activities).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for joining community projects.

  She has a passion for joining community projects.

  • "For *joining* community projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *joining* community projects).

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

She plans to join the organization next month.

They hope to join the team for the upcoming tournament.

He wants to join the choir and showcase his singing talent.

We decided to join the dance class to learn new moves.

They agreed to join the protest for a cause they believe in.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys joining social gatherings and meeting new people.

They recommend joining a sports club for physical fitness.

He avoids joining large crowds and prefers smaller gatherings.

I am considering joining the volunteer program to give back to the community.

Can you imagine yourself joining the adventure club and exploring new places?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to join the conversation. She likes joining the conversation.

We started to join the book club. We started joining the book club.

He began to join the yoga class. He began joining the yoga class.