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 promise to keep your secret safe.

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 journal can help improve your writing skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To keep (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To keep a positive mindset is important for success.

  To keep a positive mindset is important for success.

  • "*To keep* a positive mindset" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to keep the money for her.

  She wants me to keep the money for her.

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

  He needs a strong lock to keep his belongings secure.

  He needs a strong lock to keep his belongings secure.

  • "*To keep* his belongings secure" modifies the noun "lock."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong lock *to keep* his belongings secure).

Keeping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Keeping a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being.

  Keeping a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being.

  • "*Keeping* a healthy lifestyle" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for overall well-being).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy keeping my room clean and organized.

  I enjoy keeping my room clean and organized.

  • "*Keeping* my room clean and organized" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*keeping* my room clean and organized).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for keeping plants alive.

  She has a passion for keeping plants alive.

  • "For *keeping* plants alive" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *keeping* plants alive).

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

They plan to keep the party a surprise.

I hope to keep in touch with you after we graduate.

She wants to keep the peace in the family.

He decided to keep the information confidential.

We agreed to keep our agreement a secret.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys keeping himself busy with various hobbies.

Doctors recommend keeping a balanced diet for good health.

I dislike keeping secrets from my friends.

They avoid keeping unnecessary items in their house.

Can you imagine keeping a pet elephant in your backyard?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to keep her schedule organized. She likes keeping her schedule organized.

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

He began to keep track of his expenses. He began keeping track of his expenses.