To Keep vs Keeping 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 keep (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to keep my room clean and organized.

Keeping (Gerund)

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

Example

Keeping a positive attitude is important for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To keep (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To keep a healthy lifestyle requires dedication and discipline.

  To keep a healthy lifestyle requires dedication and discipline.

  • "*To keep* a healthy lifestyle" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and discipline).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to keep her secret.

  She wants me to keep her secret.

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

  I need a lock to keep my belongings safe.

  I need a lock to keep my belongings safe.

  • "*To keep* my belongings safe" modifies the noun "lock."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lock *to keep* my belongings safe).

Keeping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Keeping your surroundings clean promotes good health.

  Keeping your surroundings clean promotes good health.

  • "*Keeping* your surroundings clean" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (promotes) + noun phrase (good health).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy keeping plants in my garden.

  I enjoy keeping plants in my garden.

  • "*Keeping* plants in my garden" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*keeping* plants in my garden).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for keeping people entertained.

  She has a talent for keeping people entertained.

  • "For *keeping* people entertained" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *keeping* people entertained).

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

He plans to keep his promises no matter what.

They hope to keep their friendship strong despite the distance.

She wants to keep learning and growing throughout her life.

We decided to keep the meeting short and focused.

They agreed to keep the information confidential.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

He enjoys keeping a journal to document his thoughts and experiences.

They recommend keeping a balanced diet for overall well-being.

I avoid keeping toxic relationships in my life.

Can you imagine keeping a pet tiger as a companion?

Do you mind keeping an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to keep her workspace tidy and organized. She likes keeping her workspace tidy and organized.

We started to keep a gratitude journal. We started keeping a gratitude journal.

He began to keep a daily exercise routine. He began keeping a daily exercise routine.