To Listen vs Listening 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 listen (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to listen to some music to relax.

Listening (Gerund)

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

Example

Listening to nature sounds can help reduce stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To listen (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To listen is an important skill in effective communication.

  To listen is an important skill in effective communication.

  • "*To listen*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in effective communication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to listen to her problems.

  She wants me to listen to her problems.

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

  I need a good pair of headphones to listen to my favorite podcasts.

  I need a good pair of headphones to listen to my favorite podcasts.

  • "*To listen* to my favorite podcasts" modifies the noun "pair of headphones."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good pair of headphones *to listen* to my favorite podcasts).

Listening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Listening is an essential part of effective communication.

  Listening is an essential part of effective communication.

  • "*Listening*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of effective communication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy listening to music in my free time.

  I enjoy listening to music in my free time.

  • "*Listening* to music in my free time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*listening* to music in my free time).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for listening to podcasts.

  She has a passion for listening to podcasts.

  • "For *listening* to podcasts" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *listening* to podcasts).

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

• enjoy
• recommend
• like
• plan
• decide

Example

They enjoy to listen to live music concerts.

I recommend you to listen to classical music for relaxation.

He likes to listen to audiobooks while driving.

We plan to listen to the new album together.

She decided to listen to the podcast episode later.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys listening to audio books while jogging.

They recommend regular listening to motivational speeches.

I consider listening to podcasts as a way to learn new things.

She avoids listening to loud music.

Can you imagine yourself listening to your favorite band live?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to listen to podcasts. She likes listening to podcasts.

We started to listen to classical music. We started listening to classical music.

He began to listen to audiobooks. He began listening to audiobooks.