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To Kill vs Killing 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 kill (Infinitive)

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

Example

He promised to kill the spider for me.

Killing (Gerund)

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

Example

Killing is against the law.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To kill (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To kill is a serious crime.

    To kill is a serious crime.

    • "*To kill*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a serious crime).
  • 2Object

    She wants him to kill the mosquito.

    She wants him to kill the mosquito.

    • "Him *to kill* the mosquito" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to kill* the mosquito).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a weapon to kill the enemy.

    I need a weapon to kill the enemy.

    • "*To kill* the enemy" modifies the noun "weapon."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a weapon *to kill* the enemy).

Killing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Killing animals for sport is unethical.

    Killing animals for sport is unethical.

    • "*Killing* animals for sport" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (unethical).
  • 2Object

    He enjoys killing zombies in video games.

    He enjoys killing zombies in video games.

    • "*Killing* zombies in video games" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
    • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*killing* zombies in video games).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of killing spiders.

    She has a fear of killing spiders.

    • "Of *killing* spiders" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *killing* spiders).

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 kill the time by watching movies.

They refused to kill the innocent animals.

The protesters demand to kill the bill.

It seems impossible to kill two birds with one stone.

I wish to kill the boredom with some exciting activities.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids killing insects by using humane traps.

They are considering killing the project due to budget constraints.

Experts recommend killing weeds before they spread.

I don't mind killing time by reading a good book.

She couldn't resist killing the final boss in the game.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to kill time by playing board games. They like killing time by playing board games.

He started to kill his enemies one by one. He started killing his enemies one by one.

We began to kill the weeds in our garden. We began killing the weeds in our garden.

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