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To Laugh vs Laughing 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 laugh (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to laugh at a funny joke.

Laughing (Gerund)

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

Example

Laughing helps to relieve stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To laugh (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To laugh is contagious.

    To laugh is contagious.

    • "*To laugh*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (contagious).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to laugh at her silly antics.

    She wants me to laugh at her silly antics.

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

    I need a comedy show to laugh my stress away.

    I need a comedy show to laugh my stress away.

    • "*To laugh* my stress away" modifies the noun "comedy show."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comedy show *to laugh* my stress away).

Laughing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Laughing is good for your health.

    Laughing is good for your health.

    • "*Laughing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (good for your health).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy laughing with my family.

    I enjoy laughing with my family.

    • "*Laughing* with my family" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*laughing* with my family).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of laughing in public.

    She has a fear of laughing in public.

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

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

They plan to laugh at a stand-up comedy show tonight.

I hope to laugh with my friends at the party.

He wants to laugh at the funny video again.

We decided to laugh at the humorous story together.

They agreed to laugh at the comedian's jokes during the show.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys laughing at comedy shows.

They recommend laughing as a form of therapy.

She dislikes the sound of laughing babies.

We avoid laughing during serious discussions.

Can you imagine yourself laughing uncontrollably?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I like to laugh at funny movies. I like laughing at funny movies.

We started to laugh hysterically. We started laughing hysterically.

He began to laugh out loud. He began laughing out loud.

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